plate no. 0116

Toledo Cathedral

Alejandro Cabeza, 1998

oilImpressionismlandscapetreesbuildinglandscapearchitecturefoliagegarden

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in layering colors to create depth and texture, especially in the foliage. Students can also learn to simplify complex architectural forms into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the building and trees, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in large areas of color for the sky, building, and foliage.
step 03
Begin layering different shades of green and yellow to create the texture and depth of the foliage.
step 04
Add details to the building, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 05
Introduce small touches of orange to represent the fruit on the trees.
step 06
Refine the details of the trees, adding highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume.
step 07
Adjust the overall composition, making sure that the colors and values are balanced.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · sap green · viridian · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium orange · raw sienna

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and viridian. Vary the greens by adding white for highlights and burnt umber for shadows. Use raw sienna and white to create the light tones of the building.

techniques

·broken color
·layering
·scumbling
·color mixing
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, which can lead to a stiff and unnatural look.
→Using too much detail in the foliage, which can make it look flat and uninteresting.
→Failing to create a sense of depth in the painting.
→Not paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.