plate no. 3083

Above the Clouds

oilTonalismlandscapelandscapetreesskymountainsfigurepath

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as using broken color to suggest texture and detail in the landscape. It's also good practice for creating a sense of distance through atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the horizon line and major elements like the tree and path.
step 02
Establish the sky with broad, horizontal strokes, blending light and dark tones to suggest clouds.
step 03
Block in the distant mountains with muted colors, using darker values for areas in shadow and lighter values for areas in light.
step 04
Develop the foreground with layers of color, focusing on the path and the rocky terrain.
step 05
Add details to the tree, using a smaller brush to create the branches and foliage.
step 06
Introduce highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension in the landscape.
step 07
Paint the figure with simple shapes and colors, keeping it small and indistinct to maintain the overall sense of scale.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white. Use thin washes of color for the distant mountains and thicker layers for the foreground.

techniques