plate no. 1512
Trinity of the Mount
Felix Vallotton, 1913
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings and the wall.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of color, establishing the overall warm tone.
- step 03
Establish the main color masses for the buildings, using variations of orange and brown.
- step 04
Paint the wall with cool grays and blues, adding subtle variations in tone.
- step 05
Add the dark greens of the trees, using broken brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Refine the details of the architecture, such as windows and architectural features.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments to color, value, and composition.
color palette
primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · ultramarine blue · sap green · cadmium yellow light
Mix burnt sienna and raw umber with white to create the various shades of the buildings. Use ultramarine blue and white for the cool tones of the wall. Mix greens with yellow ochre and ultramarine blue.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·color temperature
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details
- →Using too many colors
- →Ignoring the overall color harmony
- →Not establishing a clear focal point
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 8)
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·easel
A slightly textured canvas will enhance the broken color effect. Use a limited palette to maintain color harmony.
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