plate no. 0131

After the Storm, Yosemite Valley

oilRomanticismlandscapemountainstreesskyvalleywaterfallfigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering techniques to create depth. It also provides practice in rendering various textures found in nature, such as rock, foliage, and water.

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, valley, and trees, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the main areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Block in the sky with light blues and grays, creating a sense of atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Begin layering in the distant mountains with muted colors, gradually increasing the color intensity as you move closer to the foreground.
step 05
Paint the large rock formations, using a variety of browns, grays, and creams to create texture and form.
step 06
Add the trees and foliage, varying the greens and browns to create depth and interest.
step 07
Paint the waterfall and the stream, using white and blue to suggest movement and light.
step 08
Add final details, such as the figures and the small rocks in the foreground.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · sap green · raw sienna

Mix various shades of gray by combining white, blue, and umber for the mountains. Achieve greens by mixing blue and yellow, adjusting the proportions for different foliage tones. Use thin washes of color for the distant areas to create atmospheric perspective.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·layering
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
→Using colors that are too saturated, which can flatten the image.
→Overworking the details, which can make the painting look stiff.
→Ignoring the principles of atmospheric perspective, which can make the painting look shallow.