plate no. 8689

A Fountain in Rome

Hans Andersen Brendekilde, 1922

oilRealismlandscapelion statuefountaintreesfoliagearchitecturewater

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering paint to create depth and texture, as well as understanding how to depict form using subtle value changes in a limited color palette. It also provides practice in rendering complex shapes like foliage and stonework with loose, expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the lion statue, fountain, and main architectural elements.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin underpainting using burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the sky and background foliage with broad strokes, paying attention to the subtle color variations.
step 04
Begin building up the lion statue, focusing on capturing its form and texture with layers of gray and brown tones.
step 05
Develop the fountain area, using darker values to create depth and contrast, and adding highlights to suggest the flow of water.
step 06
Refine the foliage, adding details and highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 07
Add final details, such as the small leaves on the ground and the moss on the stonework.
step 08
Adjust values and colors as needed to create a cohesive and harmonious painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · sap green · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow light

Achieve the various greens by mixing sap green with yellow ochre and a touch of blue. Create the grays for the statue by mixing burnt umber, white, and a touch of blue or green.

techniques

·layering
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·value studies
·broken color

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, resulting in a flat and unconvincing painting.
→Getting the proportions of the lion statue wrong.
→Using too much detail in the background, which can distract from the focal point.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, titanium white, sap green, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags