plate no. 1307
Valle de Mexico
Jose Maria Velasco, 1910
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to create depth in a landscape. It also provides practice in rendering various textures, from the sky to the foliage.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and major landforms.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light blue, gradually adding white for clouds.
- step 03
Establish the distant mountains with muted purples and blues, using lighter values for farther peaks.
- step 04
Paint the middle ground with a mix of yellows, greens, and browns, suggesting fields and distant trees.
- step 05
Develop the foreground with darker browns and greens, adding details to the trees and foliage.
- step 06
Add the water feature, reflecting the sky and surrounding landscape.
- step 07
Paint the cattle, paying attention to their form and how they interact with the water.
- step 08
Refine details and adjust values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · cerulean blue · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt sienna · viridian green · purple
Mix blues and white for the sky, adding a touch of yellow for warmth. Use raw umber and yellow ochre for the earth tones, adding burnt sienna for richer browns and viridian green for foliage. Create muted purples by mixing red and blue, then graying them down with yellow or brown for the mountains.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·color mixing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Failing to establish a clear sense of depth.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, making the painting look unrealistic.
- →Overworking the details in the distant areas.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the landscape.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints (cerulean blue, raw umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, viridian green)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·painting apron
Use a medium-grit canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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