plate no. 3361

A Showery Day, Grand Canyon

Thomas Moran, 1919

oil, canvasRomanticismlandscapemountainscanyoncloudstreesrocksfog

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and color mixing to create depth and mood. It also encourages the use of soft blending techniques to depict fog and clouds.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains and foreground rocks, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the general layout of the composition.
step 03
Apply a thin wash of diluted color to establish the overall color scheme and underpainting.
step 04
Begin layering in the darker values of the mountains and rocks, gradually building up the forms.
step 05
Add the lighter values and highlights to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Blend the edges of the forms to create a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 07
Paint the clouds and fog using light, airy brushstrokes.
step 08
Add details to the foreground elements, such as trees and rocks.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · alizarin crimson · sap green

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white. Create the atmospheric haze by diluting colors with medium and blending thoroughly.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·soft blending
·layering
·dry brushing
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the background, which should be soft and indistinct.
→Using colors that are too saturated, which will detract from the atmospheric effect.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure, which will make the painting look flat.
→Not blending the edges of the forms sufficiently, which will create a harsh, unrealistic effect.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, titanium white, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, sap green)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·assorted round and flat brushes
·palette
·palette knife
·rags