plate no. 1576
The Rye Marshes, East Sussex
Paul Nash, 1932
suitable for beginners
Recreating this painting will help students understand simplified forms and geometric abstraction in landscape painting, as well as how to create depth using color and perspective.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and perspective lines of the landscape, focusing on the geometric forms.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, water, land, and buildings.
- step 03
Refine the shapes of the clouds and add subtle variations in the sky color.
- step 04
Add details to the land, such as the lines indicating fields and the edges of the water channels.
- step 05
Paint the boats, paying attention to their simplified forms and shadows.
- step 06
Add details to the buildings in the background, keeping them simple and geometric.
- step 07
Refine the edges and add any final details, such as the red flag.
- step 08
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the forms.
color palette
primary · ochre · sky blue · raw umber
secondary · white · red · gray
Mix ochre with white for lighter land areas. Use a touch of raw umber to darken the ochre for shadows. Mix blue and white for the sky, adding a touch of gray for the clouds.
techniques
- ·geometric abstraction
- ·flat color application
- ·linear perspective
- ·color blocking
- ·simplified forms
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the shapes; keep them simple and geometric.
- →Using too many colors; stick to the limited palette.
- →Ignoring the perspective; make sure the lines converge correctly.
- →Not creating enough contrast; use shadows to define the forms.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil or acrylic medium
optional
- ·easel
- ·painting varnish
- ·ruler
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Acrylics are easier for beginners, while oils offer richer colors and blending.
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