plate no. 1244
UNDER MOUNTAINS JESENIKY
JAROSLAV KELUC, 1970
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and using broken color techniques to represent textures. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and color blocks.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes: mountains, trees, and the building.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light blue and white, using loose brushstrokes.
- step 03
Establish the main color masses for the mountains, using grays and browns.
- step 04
Paint the distant field with washes of yellow, orange, and brown.
- step 05
Add the trees, starting with the trunks and then layering on foliage with dabs of green, yellow, and brown.
- step 06
Paint the foreground field with a mix of greens, yellows, browns, and touches of purple for the flowers.
- step 07
Add details to the building, keeping it simple and impressionistic.
- step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed.
color palette
primary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · cadmium yellow · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue
Achieve the various greens by mixing yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten colors and create atmospheric perspective. Mix browns and grays by combining the primary colors.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
- →Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Ignoring the importance of color temperature in creating depth.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (#2, #6)
- ·flat brush (#8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·easel
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the broken color effect. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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