plate no. 0185

A waterfall in Thiers

oilRealismlandscapewaterfallbuildingstreeslandscaperiverrocks

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing dynamic movement of water and creating depth through atmospheric perspective and loose brushwork. It also provides practice in rendering architectural forms within a natural setting.

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 buildings, waterfall, and surrounding landscape.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 03
Block in the main color masses for the buildings, foliage, and rocks using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin to define the waterfall by layering white and blue tones, capturing the movement and texture of the water.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and rooflines, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the foliage and rocks, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to enhance the atmospheric perspective.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green

Achieve the various earth tones by mixing burnt umber with white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Create the water colors by mixing ultramarine blue with white and a hint of green.

techniques