plate no. 0880
View of the valley Ararat
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering colors to create depth. It's also a good exercise in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes: mountains, valley floor, and foreground elements.
- step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of light blue, blending towards the horizon.
- step 03
Block in the distant mountains with light pinks and grays, paying attention to atmospheric perspective.
- step 04
Paint the valley floor with a mix of greens and browns, suggesting the mass of trees and fields.
- step 05
Add details to the foreground, focusing on the texture of the cliffs and the shapes of the trees.
- step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Add subtle details to the buildings and other man-made structures.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · cerulean blue · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium yellow
secondary · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson · sap green
Mix various shades of green by combining yellow, blue, and a touch of brown. Achieve the mountain colors by mixing white with small amounts of red, blue, and brown. Use white to lighten colors and create atmospheric perspective.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·color mixing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early
- →Failing to create a sense of depth
- →Using colors that are too saturated
- →Ignoring the importance of value contrast
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 12x16
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 8)
- ·Flat brush (size 10)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Linseed oil (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·Easel
- ·Medium gloss
- ·Retarder medium
Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for better paint adhesion. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
related guides
in this vein
