plate no. 1391

Village Scene

oil, woodBaroquegenre paintingbuildingsfigureslandscapeskytreesvillage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering textures like thatch and foliage. It also provides practice in depicting figures in a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings, figures, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large shapes of color for the sky, landscape, and buildings using thin washes.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin to define the shadows and highlights on the buildings and figures.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, such as the thatched roofs, windows, and chimney.
step 05
Refine the figures, paying attention to their proportions and clothing.
step 06
Develop the landscape, adding details to the trees, foliage, and distant buildings.
step 07
Add final details, such as the birds in the sky and the smoke from the chimney.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and create depth.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and grey by combining raw umber, yellow ochre, and white. Use ultramarine blue and white to create the sky, adding touches of yellow ochre for warmth. Burnt sienna and cadmium red light can be mixed for the figures' clothing.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Creating colors that are too saturated or bright.
→Failing to establish a clear light source.
→Not using enough thin washes in the initial stages.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (yellow ochre, raw umber, titanium white, ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, cadmium red light, ivory black)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags