plate no. 6268
The Graveyard
Mary Fedden, 1958
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive and expressive artwork. It also encourages experimentation with visible brushstrokes to build texture and form.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and positions of the crosses and trees, focusing on overall composition.
- step 02
Block in the background sky and distant landscape with diluted washes of blues and purples.
- step 03
Establish the basic shapes of the larger monuments with mid-tone grays and browns.
- step 04
Begin adding details to the crosses and monuments, using darker values for shadows and lighter values for highlights.
- step 05
Use short, visible brushstrokes to build up texture and suggest the forms of the foliage and ground.
- step 06
Introduce secondary colors like greens and browns to add depth and variation to the landscape.
- step 07
Refine the details of the crosses and monuments, paying attention to the decorative elements.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt umber
secondary · purple · olive green · gray
Mix blues and whites for the sky, add umber to create grays for the monuments, and combine blues and yellows for greens. Use white to lighten values and create subtle color variations.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·color mixing
- ·blocking in
- ·simplification
- ·visible brushstrokes
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the original painting.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
- →Failing to establish a clear focal point.
- →Making the composition too symmetrical or static.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits or brush cleaner
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the visibility of the brushstrokes. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly due to their faster drying time.
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