plate no. 4859

Algoma Hill

Lawren Harris, 1920

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)landscapetreesrockslandscapeforestfoliagesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and modeling form with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex natural forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the large rock formation, trees, and foreground rocks.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of pale yellow and blue.
step 03
Establish the dark values of the large rock formation using a mix of blues, purples, and browns.
step 04
Add the vertical tree trunks with dark browns and blacks, varying the thickness and height.
step 05
Paint the foreground rocks with a mix of grays, greens, and purples, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 06
Add the red foliage with short, broken brushstrokes, varying the intensity of the red.
step 07
Refine the details of the rock formation, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add final touches to the trees and foliage, ensuring they blend harmoniously with the rest of the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · sap green

Mix blues and browns for the rock shadows; use white to lighten the sky and foreground rocks; mix red and yellow for the foliage highlights.

techniques

·dry brush texture
·broken color
·layering
·scumbling
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
→Making the colors too saturated and unnatural.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough to create texture.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, sap green)
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags