plate no. 1694
The Magpie on the Gallows
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, 1568
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering complex foliage. It will also provide practice in depicting figures in a landscape setting.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the horizon line, major landforms, and the gallows.
- step 02
Establish the sky and distant landscape with thin washes of color, using lighter and cooler tones for areas further away.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of foliage with dark greens and browns, paying attention to the overall shapes and values.
- step 04
Begin adding details to the foreground, including the gallows, figures, and individual trees and bushes.
- step 05
Develop the middle ground, adding details to the buildings and landscape features.
- step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows throughout the painting, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 07
Add final details such as highlights, textures, and small figures.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the overall effect.
color palette
primary · raw umber · Prussian blue · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light · ivory black
Achieve the muted greens by mixing Prussian blue, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna. Use white to lighten values and create atmospheric haze.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·rendering foliage
- ·figure painting
common pitfalls
- →Overworking details too early
- →Ignoring atmospheric perspective
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·Prussian blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 filbert brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a canvas with a smooth surface to facilitate blending and glazing. Consider using a toned ground to help establish the overall color harmony.
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