Thomas Paquette,Glamaig Cuillan, 3.5 x 3.12 inches, gouache on bristol rag board
Ask
What do you notice about this image?
How can we create expressive paintings of the landscape?
Explore
Assignment:In your sketchbook: Analyze a piece by Paquette.
Begin by making a sketch of the image - roughly the same size as the example. ​
What do you notice about the:​
​
-
Composition? LABEL the horizon line (eye level), rule of thirds? focal point, path of movement​​
​
-
Color Palette? cool or warm colors? realistic/local color or embellished/amplified color?​
​
-
Paint Application? perfectly blended or gestural marks? opaque? wash? layered? directional strokes?​
​
-
Lines? diagonal / vertical? implied?)​
Assignment: You will need to bring an image - preferably one you took yourself - or one taken by a family member -to work from. The image should be all natural elements - no architectural or manmade structures.
Try to find an image that includes background, middle ground and foreground. No silhouettes or sunsets.
Plan
How can we create an interesting composition?
Assignment: Make a minimum of 3 thumbnail sketches focusing on composition​
​
1) original composition​
​​
2) cropped composition – rule of thirds ​​
​
3) zoomed in composition ​
​
Thumbnail boxes should be ​
​
2.25” X 3” and labeled
​
-
Utilize at least three contrasting values to create massing and focal point. Make 3 boxes as illustrated in the image to the right to show the values.
-
Consider the path the viewers eye will take and how it will direct them to focal point.
-
Remember mood in your mark making. Lines can be expressive.
Peer Critique + Final Drawing
When you are finished with 3 thumbnails, share your drawing with a partner and describe:
-
which composition you are choosing and why (path of movement, rule of thirds)
-
where you intend the focal point to be
Partners share:
-
yellow hat: what you think is working with the composition and why
-
green hat: any have you considered?
Explore
What is gouache?
Gouache paint is similar to watercolor, but modified to make it more OPAQUE.
Watercolor is TRANSPARENT (you can see through it).
Gouache is capable of opaque or transparent effects.
​
Gouache differs from watercolor in that the particles are larger, the ratio of pigment to water is much higher, and an additional, inert, white pigment
such as chalk may also be present. This makes gouache heavier and more opaque,
with greater reflective qualities.
Gouache generally dries to a different VALUE than it appears when wet
(lighter tones generally dry darker, while darker tones tend to dry lighter),
which can make it difficult to match colors over multiple painting sessions.
IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO NOTE RATIOS OF PAINT COLORS WHEN MIXING TO
OBTAIN THE SAME COLOR AGAIN LATER! THIS IS A GOOD USE OF SKETCHBOOKS!
It is used most consistently by commercial artists for works such as posters,
illustrations, comics, and for other design work.
Assignment:Practice gouache paint application techniques by completing the following exercises.
What kinds of marks can I make with my brushes?
Assignment: Experiment with making a variety of marks with the various brushes available.
Assignment: Set goals for your painting to create a rubric.
What do we want to strive for in our illustrations in terms of :​
-
Composition​ - rule of thirds, placement of horizon line, focal point
-
Mood (Color, paint application, contrast)
-
Application of paint - Work Top to Bottom​, ​Background to Foreground​, ​General to Detailed​, ​Washes for Base, Opaque for Details​, ​Embrace Bleeds and Beautiful Edges
-
Other? Persistence, creativity
Create
ASSIGNMENT: Create a practice painting focusing on the following goals:
Experiment with color palette – record colors and proportions both optical and arbitrary​
-
Tints - are created by adding white to a color.​
-
Shades - are created by adding black to a color. Make darks without black when possible.​
-
Optical color - color that people actually perceive- also called local color.​
-
Arbitrary color - colors chosen by the artist to express feelings or mood.​
Sketch with Paint vs. Pencil - bare minimum pencil lines​
-
Underpainting​
-
Allowing the medium to do its thing​
-
Brushes – Rounds vs. Flats. Wet vs. Dry Wash vs. Detail
This is an optional video but great example of layering and brushwork.
Improve
Assignment:
Refine
Assignment: Create a final landscape painting.
​
GOUACHE PAINTING TIPS​
​
Work Top to Bottom​
​
Work Background to Foreground​
​
Work General to Detailed​
​
Washes / Base Opaque / Details​
​
Embrace Bleeds and Beautiful Edges
​
Relax and enjoy the process!
Reflect + Share
Assignment: Create a PowerPoint Reflection and upload to Padlet
Slide 1 Insert a photograph of your practice and your final painting in the same slide side by side.
Photograph it on the easel with black background and change your slide background to black.
​
Slide 2 is your Reflection
Title: Landscape Painting
Refer to the rubric and your mid painting reflection and goals.
Write a reflection (in paragraph form) describing how you addressed the following points on the rubric - utilize appropriate terminology-
​
Thesis statement of growth: Start with a thesis statement of growth. "My greatest area of growth in this project was..."
Evidence of Growth - What goals did you set for yourself in this project (refer to your sketchbook) and how did you progress toward meeting those goals and the those on the rubric? (Refer to your mid drawing reflection and consider feedback you received during critiques)
Skills + Techniques -What were some new skills or techniques you learned and applied to make your drawing more successful in terms of the following and what skills did you apply and build on that you learned previously in the year: (refer to the elements and principles of design as you think and write - you can also refer to the shared rubric we created)
-
Composition / Layout -rule of thirds, placement of horizon line, focal point
-
Mood (Color, paint application, contrast, brushwork)
-
Application of paint - Work Top to Bottom​, ​Background to Foreground​, ​General to Detailed​, ​Washes for Base, Opaque for Details​, ​Embrace Bleeds and Beautiful Edges
-
Other? Persistence, creativity
-
Craftsmanship
Summary statement- Refer back to original thesis statement of growth. "In conclusion..."
​​
-
Write your Name
POST YOUR POWERPOINT TO THIS PADLET MAKE SURE YOUR NAME IS ON IT!
https://padlet.com/jennymontgomery/landscape-paintings-2024-ik1vjx9ljrav3fq9
Landscape Painting - Self-Evaluation Rubric
Scoring:​ 5 Meets or exceeds criteria 4 Meets most criteria 3  Meets some criteria 2 Attempted but unfinished
___/5 Compositional Layout ​
-
Arranges space of the picture plane purposefully, supported by compositional strategies—such as rule of thirds or other harmonious arrangements.​
-
Uses space & perspective to enhance the overall aesthetic of the painting. ​
___/5 Technique & Application of Paint Medium ​
-
Capacities of the gouache are successfully utilized to enhance the overall aesthetic ​
-
At least 3 different gouache techniques are apparent—such as wash, gradient, blending, bleed, masking and texture techniques like lift, salt, alcohol, splatter, etc.​
___/5 Landscape Depiction/Interpretation 
-
Natural features of landscape are depicted—such as trees, grasses, rock formations, etc.​
-
Background, middle ground, foreground are shown; details in foreground only​
___/5 Reflection
-
Writing begins with a statement of growth
-
Reflection supports growth statement with example(s) and appropriate art terminology
___/ 5 Studio Habits 
-
Focused and directed attention to work; not distracted or off task​
-
Safe and respectful of materials; full participation in clean-up process​
Total points ___/25