plate no. 9021
The Park
Victor Pasmore, 1947
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in greens and yellows, and practice applying broken color techniques to create texture and depth.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the trees, path, and background elements.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color with thin washes, starting with the sky and the path.
- step 03
Begin layering different shades of green for the foliage, using broken color techniques.
- step 04
Add darker values to create shadows and define the forms of the trees and bushes.
- step 05
Use small dabs of yellow and white to create the texture of the path.
- step 06
Refine the details of the trees and branches, paying attention to the negative space.
- step 07
Add final touches of light and shadow to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Step back and adjust the overall composition as needed.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · sap green · titanium white
secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow light · cerulean blue
Achieve the various greens by mixing sap green with yellow ochre and titanium white. Use burnt umber to darken the greens and create shadows. Add small amounts of cerulean blue to cool down the greens.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to create enough contrast between light and shadow.
- →Not paying attention to the overall composition and balance of the painting.
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)
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·easel
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a variety of brush sizes to create different textures and details. Experiment with different painting mediums to achieve different effects.
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