plate no. 8427
After the storm
Aleksey Savrasov, 1870
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the subtle nuances of light and shadow in a landscape. 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
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, bridge, and horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and grays, creating soft cloud shapes.
- step 03
Establish the base colors for the land and water, paying attention to the overall value structure.
- step 04
Begin to define the trees, using darker values to create depth and lighter values to suggest foliage.
- step 05
Paint the bridge, focusing on its structure and how it interacts with the water.
- step 06
Add details to the foreground, including the reflections in the water and the vegetation.
- step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall effect.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt sienna · sap green
Mix various shades of green by combining yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and a touch of burnt sienna. Achieve atmospheric perspective by adding white to colors as they recede into the distance.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·scumbling
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Making the colors too saturated and unnatural.
- →Ignoring the importance of value contrast in creating depth.
- →Failing to accurately represent the reflections in the water.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a medium-tooth canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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