
plate no. 2166
Grandma Moses, 1947
This painting is great for learning about layering colors and creating depth in a landscape. Students will also practice simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.
technical profile
approach — 8 steps
Sketch the basic shapes of the landscape, including the hills, river, houses, and trees.
Block in the sky with light blues and pinks, blending softly.
Establish the dark green masses of the distant hills and forests.
Paint the river with varying shades of blue and gray, reflecting the sky.
Add the base colors for the fields and meadows, using browns, greens, and yellows.
Paint the houses with white, adding details like windows and roofs.
Add details like fences, trees, and figures, using small brushstrokes.
Refine the details and add highlights and shadows to create depth.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre
secondary · cadmium red · sap green · payne's gray
Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, browns by combining umber, blue, and yellow. Use white to create lighter tints of all colors.
techniques
common pitfalls
surface · stretched canvas
required
optional
Acrylic paints are recommended for beginners due to their fast drying time and ease of cleanup.
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