plate no. 8418

Afternoon View of Coalbrookdale, Shropshire

oilRococolandscapelandscapefigurestreessmokehillsriver

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and creating depth through layering of colors and values. It also provides practice in rendering figures within a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the horizon line, major landforms, and figures.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light, blended wash of pale yellow and white, suggesting cloud formations.
step 03
Block in the distant hills with muted greens and blues, using lighter values to create atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Paint the middle ground with varying shades of green and brown, adding details to the trees and foliage.
step 05
Add the smoke plumes using grays and blacks, blending them softly into the sky.
step 06
Paint the figures in the foreground, paying attention to their proportions and clothing details.
step 07
Add the river and reflections, using darker values to create depth.
step 08
Refine details and add highlights to create a sense of realism.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · ivory black

Achieve the muted greens by mixing yellow ochre and ultramarine blue with varying amounts of white. Use burnt umber and ivory black to create the grays for the smoke. Mix cadmium red and burnt umber for the figures' clothing.

techniques