plate no. 0758

Am Nilufer

Hermann David Salomon Corrodi, 1905

canvas, oilAcademicismlandscapelandscapepyramidswaterfiguresskybuildings

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering reflections in water. It also provides practice in depicting figures in a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the pyramids, buildings, and figures.
step 02
Block in the sky with a gradient of warm yellows and oranges, blending smoothly.
step 03
Establish the base color of the water, reflecting the sky's colors.
step 04
Paint the pyramids with a muted pinkish-brown, paying attention to their perspective and atmospheric distance.
step 05
Add the buildings and palm trees, using darker tones for the shadows and lighter tones for the highlights.
step 06
Paint the figures with simple shapes and colors, focusing on their silhouettes and interactions with the environment.
step 07
Add reflections in the water, using slightly darker and blurred versions of the objects above.
step 08
Refine details and add highlights to create depth and realism.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · raw sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium orange

Achieve the warm, muted tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, and white. Add small amounts of blue or orange to adjust the temperature of the colors.

techniques