plate no. 5140
The Walls of Old England, by Edward John Poynter
Edward Poynter, 1914
some experience helpful
This painting provides practice in depicting atmospheric perspective and creating the illusion of depth through color and value changes. Students will also learn to simplify complex geological forms into basic shapes and values.
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 of the mountains and foreground, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the general layout of the sky and clouds.
- step 03
Block in the main color areas of the sky, mountains, and foreground with thin washes.
- step 04
Begin to build up the values in the mountains, using darker tones for shadows and lighter tones for highlights.
- step 05
Add details to the rock formations, using dry brush techniques to create texture.
- step 06
Paint the foreground, paying attention to the color variations and the reflections in the water.
- step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall effect.
color palette
primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · titanium white · cerulean blue
secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · ivory black
Mix various shades of brown and beige by blending burnt sienna, raw umber, yellow ochre, and white. Use ultramarine blue and white to create the sky and cloud colors, adding a touch of burnt sienna for warmth.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color mixing
- ·value studies
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the mountains, resulting in a flat appearance.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth in the foreground.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, creating an unnatural look.
- →Ignoring the subtle value changes in the sky and clouds.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-grit canvas to allow for better texture when dry brushing. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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