plate no. 3770
Untitled (River and Hills)
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice simplified landscape forms and explore color mixing for natural scenes. It also offers an opportunity to practice painting figures in a stylized manner.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the hills, river, and trees, focusing on the overall composition.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, hills, and river using simplified shapes.
- step 03
Add the tree trunks, paying attention to their placement and verticality.
- step 04
Mix and apply the various shades of green for the foreground and hills, creating subtle variations.
- step 05
Paint the figures using simplified forms and a limited color palette.
- step 06
Add details like the small trees and the lighter patches on the hills.
- step 07
Refine the edges and shapes of the elements to match the original painting's style.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall composition.
color palette
primary · green · blue · brown · red
secondary · white · pink · dark green
Mix various greens by combining blues and yellows with small amounts of brown or black. Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, red, and a touch of yellow.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·simplified forms
- ·color mixing
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the shapes and details.
- →Using too many colors and losing the simplified palette.
- →Not paying attention to the overall composition and balance.
- →Making the figures too realistic and detailed.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·#4 round brush
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oils)
optional
- ·easel
- ·painting medium
- ·rags
Use a medium-sized canvas to allow for sufficient detail without being overwhelming. Acrylics are a good option for beginners due to their fast drying time.
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