plate no. 8320
Village Landscape
Matthew Smith, 1916
some experience helpful
This painting offers practice in capturing light and shadow with simplified forms and visible brushstrokes. Students can learn to create depth and atmosphere using color temperature and value.
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 and composition lightly on the canvas.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and ground.
- step 03
Add the buildings, focusing on their basic forms and shadows.
- step 04
Paint the trees, using broken brushstrokes to suggest foliage.
- step 05
Refine the details, such as the gate and the path.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Adjust the colors and values to achieve a harmonious balance.
- step 08
Add final details and texture with visible brushstrokes.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · sap green · ultramarine blue
Mix yellow ochre and raw umber for the ground and buildings. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Mix green with a touch of blue for cooler shadows.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·color temperature
- ·simplified forms
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Using too much detail and cluttering the composition.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Not paying attention to color temperature.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·sap green oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (flat and round)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
Use a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process. Consider using a toned canvas to create a more unified color scheme.
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