plate no. 7912
Afternoon Sun, Lake Superior
Lawren Harris, 1924
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. It's a good exercise in understanding aerial perspective and color temperature changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes: horizon line, island, foreground rocks, and tree trunks.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light blue and orange hues, blending softly.
- step 03
Establish the water with varying shades of blue, reflecting the sky.
- step 04
Paint the island with dark green and hints of yellow for the foliage.
- step 05
Add the distant landmasses with muted blues and browns to suggest distance.
- step 06
Define the foreground rocks with warm browns and ochre, paying attention to light and shadow.
- step 07
Paint the tree trunks with dark brown, adding subtle highlights.
- step 08
Refine details and add highlights to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · yellow ochre
secondary · titanium white · cadmium orange · viridian green
Mix blues and whites for the sky and water. Use burnt sienna and yellow ochre for the rocks. Combine blues and greens for the island foliage. Add white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·aerial perspective
- ·color temperature
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the blending, resulting in muddy colors.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the water and sky.
- →Making the foreground too detailed, distracting from the overall scene.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and distance.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·oil paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use good quality oil paints for best results. Pre-toned canvas can help establish the mid-tones.
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