plate no. 8309
Boys Fishing
William Collins, 1824
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering foliage with varied brushstrokes. It also provides practice in depicting figures within a landscape setting.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
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 trees, figures, and water.
- step 02
Establish the sky with light, blended tones of blue, gray, and white.
- step 03
Block in the large shapes of the trees and foliage using a range of greens and browns.
- step 04
Define the water with horizontal strokes, capturing reflections and variations in tone.
- step 05
Add the figures, paying attention to their proportions and interaction with the environment.
- step 06
Develop the details of the foliage, using smaller brushstrokes and varying the color temperature.
- step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Add final details, such as the fence and subtle reflections in the water.
color palette
primary · sap green · raw umber · titanium white · sky blue
secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · ivory black
Mix greens by combining blues and yellows with touches of brown for muted tones. Achieve atmospheric perspective by lightening and cooling colors as they recede into the distance.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·dry brush texture
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Using overly saturated colors, which can detract from the naturalistic feel.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in color temperature.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
- ·photo reference
Use a medium-tooth canvas for good texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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