plate no. 2649
We are Making a New World
Paul Nash, 1918
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand simplified forms and how to create depth through layering and value changes. It also provides practice in capturing a specific mood through color and composition.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the hills, trees, and sky, paying attention to the overall composition.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the sky, hills, and ground, using thin washes.
- step 03
Begin adding darker values to define the shadows on the hills and ground.
- step 04
Paint the tree trunks, varying their thickness and height to create depth.
- step 05
Add highlights to the ground and trees to create a sense of light and volume.
- step 06
Refine the details of the trees and ground, adding texture with visible brushstrokes.
- step 07
Paint the sun with a soft, diffused glow.
- step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and impactful image.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw umber · titanium white · Prussian blue
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red
Mix burnt umber and Prussian blue for the dark tree trunks. Use white to lighten the sky and ground colors. Mix red and umber for the hills.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·simplified forms
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details
- →Making the colors too bright or saturated
- →Failing to create a sense of depth
- →Ignoring the overall mood and atmosphere
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·Prussian blue oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Thin the oil paints with a small amount of linseed oil or turpentine for easier blending.
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