plate no. 0347

The wasteland II

Jeffrey Smart, 1945

oilPrecisionismcityscapebuildingwindmilldesertskywater tankdebris

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective, rendering geometric forms, and creating atmospheric perspective with a limited color palette. It also encourages careful observation of details and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the perspective of the building and the placement of the windmill and water tank.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, ground, and building, establishing the overall tonal values.
step 03
Begin to refine the shapes and details of the building, windmill, and water tank, using a smaller brush.
step 04
Add details to the foreground, including the debris and shadows.
step 05
Create the atmospheric perspective by softening the edges and lightening the colors of the distant objects.
step 06
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 07
Add final details and adjust values as needed to achieve a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · raw umber · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of ochre and sienna with white to create the warm tones of the building and landscape. Use raw umber to create shadows and darker areas. Mix cadmium red light with burnt sienna for the red debris.

techniques

·linear perspective
·atmospheric perspective
·color mixing
·layering
·rendering geometric forms

common pitfalls

→Incorrect perspective
→Overly bright or saturated colors
→Lack of tonal variation
→Ignoring atmospheric perspective
→Oversimplifying details

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·yellow ochre oil paint
·burnt sienna oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·raw umber oil paint
·#2 round brush
·#6 flat brush

optional

·palette knife
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits

Use a medium-grit canvas for a slightly textured surface. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing and create a harmonious color scheme.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

chat about this artwork

in this vein