plate no. 1415
The Ypres Salient at Night
Paul Nash, 1918
some experience helpful
This painting helps students practice dramatic value contrasts and creating atmospheric perspective using a limited color palette. Recreating this will also help students understand how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and forms.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
5
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of the figures and trenches.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of dark and light values using thinned paint.
- step 03
Establish the light source and begin to define the beams of light.
- step 04
Add details to the trenches and figures, focusing on their silhouettes.
- step 05
Refine the color palette, adding subtle variations to the dark areas.
- step 06
Create texture in the foreground using visible brushstrokes.
- step 07
Add final highlights to emphasize the light source and create depth.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber
secondary · Prussian blue · yellow ochre
Mix various shades of gray by combining black and white. Add small amounts of blue or yellow ochre to create cool and warm grays.
techniques
- ·value blocking
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·limited palette
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details
- →Losing the dramatic value contrast
- →Using too many colors
- →Not establishing a clear light source
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·Prussian blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·painting medium
Use a medium-grit canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a fast-drying medium to speed up the drying time.
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