plate no. 5465
Wind from the Sea
Andrew Wyeth, 1947
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering transparent washes and creating subtle textures. It also provides practice in rendering realistic light and shadow.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the window frame, landscape, and curtain.
- step 02
Establish the dark values of the window frame and the distant trees.
- step 03
Block in the general tones of the sky and the field, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 04
Begin layering thin washes of color to build up the details of the landscape.
- step 05
Carefully render the delicate details of the curtain, using fine lines and subtle shading.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the details of the window frame and the surrounding environment.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
Achieve the muted tones by mixing raw umber and white. Use small amounts of yellow ochre and burnt sienna to add warmth to the field and curtain.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·linear perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details of the curtain, losing the sense of transparency.
- →Creating too much contrast, making the painting appear harsh.
- →Failing to establish a strong sense of depth and perspective.
- →Inaccurate proportions in the window frame.
materials
surface · gessoed panel
required
- ·gessoed panel
- ·raw umber tempera paint
- ·titanium white tempera paint
- ·ivory black tempera paint
- ·small round brushes
- ·medium flat brush
- ·palette
- ·water
optional
- ·retarder
- ·palette knife
- ·varnish
Tempera paint dries quickly, so work in small sections and keep your brushes clean. Consider using a retarder to slow the drying time.
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