plate no. 8372
At the foot of the Salève
Ferdinand Hodler, 1890
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to depict distance. It's also good practice for painting reflections in water.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the mountain, trees, and water.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, gradually adding subtle variations.
- step 03
Establish the base colors for the mountain and trees, using darker greens and blues for shadows.
- step 04
Paint the water with horizontal strokes, reflecting the colors of the sky and surrounding landscape.
- step 05
Begin layering the reeds in the foreground, using a variety of greens and yellows.
- step 06
Add details to the trees and mountain, focusing on texture and light.
- step 07
Refine the reflections in the water, paying attention to the distortion and color variations.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · cerulean blue · sap green · yellow ochre · raw umber
secondary · titanium white · cadmium yellow · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna
Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Achieve the muted tones of the water by mixing complementary colors.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·broken color
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the foreground, losing the sense of depth.
- →Making the reflections too perfect, resulting in an unnatural look.
- →Using too much pure color, creating a flat and unrealistic effect.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the sky and water.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints
- ·round brushes (#2, #6)
- ·flat brushes (#4, #8)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for good paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a pre-toned canvas to simplify the initial blocking-in stage.
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