plate no. 7156

Valley Ridge

Ivan Eyre, 1974

acrylic, canvasContemporary Realismlandscapelandscapetreeshillsforestskygrass

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in observing and representing complex natural forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch to map out the main shapes and areas of the landscape.
step 02
Establish the base colors for the sky, hills, and foreground using thin washes.
step 03
Begin layering in the darker tones to define the shadows and forms of the trees and foliage.
step 04
Use small, deliberate brushstrokes to build up the texture of the trees, grass, and ground.
step 05
Mix and apply various shades of green and brown to create depth and variation in the foliage.
step 06
Add highlights to the trees and grass to create a sense of light and dimension.
step 07
Pay attention to the details of the branches and twigs, using a fine brush.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and adjust the colors and values as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · sap green · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · raw sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow

Achieve the various greens by mixing sap green with yellow ochre and cadmium yellow. Use burnt umber and ultramarine blue to create darker browns and grays for shadows.

techniques