plate no. 9017
The Short Cut
Pekka Halonen, 1892
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting atmospheric perspective and rendering realistic textures using visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in capturing the subtle color variations in a natural landscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes: the figures, the river, the buildings in the background, and the bridge.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the basic perspective of the landscape.
- step 03
Block in the main color areas: the sky, the fields, the river, and the buildings, using thin washes of color.
- step 04
Start building up the textures of the grass, trees, and buildings with short, visible brushstrokes.
- step 05
Pay attention to the color temperature of the light and shadow areas.
- step 06
Refine the details of the figures, focusing on their clothing and posture.
- step 07
Add the reflections in the water, using horizontal brushstrokes.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · viridian green
Mix muted greens by combining yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and a touch of burnt umber. Achieve the sky's grey by mixing white with small amounts of blue and umber. The red buildings can be achieved by mixing cadmium red with burnt umber.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·wet-on-dry layering
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Using colors that are too saturated and unnatural.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the landscape.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
- ·oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, cadmium red, viridian green)
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for visible brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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