plate no. 1260

Along the Creek

T. C. Steele, 1905

oil, canvasImpressionismlandscapetreeslandscapewatercreekfoliagesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as using broken color techniques to represent foliage and textures. It's also a good exercise in understanding atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, creek, and distant treeline.
step 02
Establish the sky with light blues and whites, blending softly.
step 03
Block in the distant trees with darker blues and greens, using a slightly blurred effect.
step 04
Paint the middle ground foliage with a mix of greens, yellows, and browns, using broken color techniques.
step 05
Add the creek, reflecting the sky and surrounding foliage with horizontal brushstrokes.
step 06
Paint the foreground grass with varied greens, yellows, and browns, adding texture with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 07
Add the tree trunks and branches, using browns and grays, and suggest leaves with dabs of color.
step 08
Refine details and adjust values to create depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white · sap green

secondary · burnt sienna · raw umber · cadmium yellow light

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows. Use white to lighten colors and create atmospheric perspective. Browns can be achieved by mixing complementary colors.

techniques

·broken color
·layering
·atmospheric perspective
·wet-on-dry
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
→Using too much detail in the background, flattening the image.
→Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast in creating depth.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 or similar)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, titanium white, sap green, burnt sienna, raw umber)
·assorted brushes (round and flat, sizes 2-8)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil or other painting medium
·odorless mineral spirits or turpentine
·rags