plate no. 1704
Through a Window, Riviera
Paul Nash, 1927
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting atmospheric perspective and capturing the essence of a scene with loose, expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in creating depth and texture with a limited color palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the window frame and the view outside.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas: the wall, the sky, the sea, and the interior.
- step 03
Add darker tones to define the shadows and create depth.
- step 04
Develop the details of the window frame, chair, and tree using visible brushstrokes.
- step 05
Refine the colors and values, paying attention to the atmospheric perspective in the landscape.
- step 06
Add highlights to create a sense of light and form.
- step 07
Adjust the overall balance and harmony of the painting.
- step 08
Add final details like the sailboat and subtle textures.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · cerulean blue
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining white, umber, and sienna. Use blue and white for the sky and sea, adding small amounts of umber to create muted tones.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·scumbling
- ·broken color
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality.
- →Creating colors that are too saturated or bright.
- →Failing to establish a clear sense of depth and perspective.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·cerulean blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 8)
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·painting medium
Use a canvas with a medium texture to enhance the brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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