plate no. 1236
Yarralumla
Grace Cossington Smith, 1932
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using color to define form and light. It also encourages experimentation with visible brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes: the archway, the tree, the bushes, and the horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the main colors of the archway with a mix of red, brown, and white.
- step 03
Paint the sky with light blue, blending it slightly with white near the horizon.
- step 04
Block in the tree with yellows, oranges, and hints of pink and purple.
- step 05
Add the darker greens for the bushes and the lawn, varying the tones to create depth.
- step 06
Paint the fence and the small building in the background with light blues and whites.
- step 07
Add details like the tree branches and the texture of the archway with visible brushstrokes.
- step 08
Refine the colors and values, paying attention to the light and shadow.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white
secondary · sap green · alizarin crimson · raw umber
Mix yellows with white for highlights on the tree, and add a touch of red or blue to create shadows. Use green and blue to create variations in the lawn.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·dry brush texture
- ·color mixing
- ·scumbling
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending colors, resulting in a muddy look.
- →Making the composition too symmetrical.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the shadows.
- →Not capturing the texture of the brushstrokes.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Round brushes (#4, #6, #8)
- ·Flat brush (#6)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Linseed oil or acrylic medium
optional
- ·easel
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a canvas with a medium texture to enhance the brushstroke effect. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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