plate no. 7530

Autumn on the Tosna river

Arkady Rylov, 1920

oilSymbolismlandscaperivertreesautumnlandscapebirchsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing for natural scenes and layering brushstrokes to create texture and depth in foliage and water.

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 river's flow and the placement of trees.
step 02
Establish the sky and water with broad strokes of color, using a mix of blues and greens.
step 03
Block in the larger shapes of the trees and foliage with base colors, varying greens, yellows, and oranges.
step 04
Add details to the birch tree, focusing on its white bark and delicate branches.
step 05
Layer additional colors and textures to the foliage, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the reflections in the water, mirroring the colors and shapes of the surrounding landscape.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition, ensuring a harmonious balance of colors and values.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · cadmium orange · viridian green

secondary · burnt sienna · titanium white · cadmium yellow

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows. Achieve autumn colors by blending yellows, oranges, and reds. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.

techniques

·broken color
·wet-on-dry layering
·scumbling
·color mixing
·creating reflections

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and unnatural look.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, leading to a flat and unharmonious palette.
→Ignoring the reflections in the water, which are crucial for creating depth and realism.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point, resulting in a confusing composition.