plate no. 8776
Abandoned Mill
Fyodor Vasilyev, 1873
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the mood of a landscape using a limited color palette. It also provides practice in rendering reflections in water and creating texture with brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line, the placement of the mill, and the water's edge.
- step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of blue and green, blending the colors softly.
- step 03
Block in the dark masses of the trees and foliage using a mix of dark greens and browns.
- step 04
Add the basic shapes of the mill and the boat, paying attention to their proportions.
- step 05
Begin layering the water, using horizontal brushstrokes to suggest reflections.
- step 06
Add details to the trees and foliage, varying the brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 07
Paint the birds and lily pads with small, precise strokes.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create depth and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · viridian green · Prussian blue · raw umber
secondary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
Mix greens by combining Prussian blue and yellow ochre, adjusting the ratio for different shades. Use white to lighten the greens and blues for the sky and reflections. Raw umber is used to darken the greens and create shadows.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·dry brush texture
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·scumbling
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details, losing the overall atmospheric effect.
- →Making the colors too bright or saturated.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth in the landscape.
- →Not capturing the subtle variations in the water's reflections.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 8)
- ·flat brush (size 10)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil or acrylic medium
- ·mineral spirits or water for cleaning
optional
- ·easel
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a limited palette to simplify color mixing and create a harmonious effect. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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