plate no. 3672

What you see during the day

Gustavo Foppiani, 1959

oilSurrealismlandscapeabstract landscapeskygeometric shapeshorizonbuildingstexture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors, creating texture, and understanding abstract composition. It also encourages experimentation with unconventional mark-making.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare the canvas with a base layer of gesso or a light-colored acrylic paint.
step 02
Lightly sketch the horizon line and the general placement of the major shapes (circles, triangles, rectangles).
step 03
Apply a thin wash of light blue and grey to the sky area, allowing some of the base layer to show through.
step 04
Begin layering colors in the landscape area, starting with blues, browns, and whites. Use a variety of brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Add the geometric shapes in red, black, and orange. Vary the size and placement of these shapes to create visual interest.
step 06
Use a dry brush or palette knife to add highlights and texture to the painting.
step 07
Refine the edges of the shapes and add any final details.
step 08
Allow the painting to dry completely.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red

secondary · black · yellow ochre · orange

Mix blues and whites for the sky. Use burnt umber and white to create various shades of grey. Mix red and yellow for orange.

techniques

·dry brushing
·layering
·scumbling
·color mixing
·geometric abstraction

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the texture.
→Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
→Placing the shapes too symmetrically.
→Not allowing layers to dry properly.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic gesso
·acrylic paints (cerulean blue, titanium white, burnt umber, cadmium red, black, yellow ochre, orange)
·assorted paint brushes
·palette
·water

optional