plate no. 2071

Burning Oil Well at Night, near Rouseville, Pennsylvania

oilRomanticismlandscapeoil wellfirenightlandscapefiguresmoon

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to create dramatic lighting effects and how to depict fire and its interaction with the surrounding environment. It's also a good exercise in creating depth using value and atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, the oil well, the moon, and the general placement of figures and trees.
step 02
Block in the large areas of dark sky and ground with a dark, neutral color.
step 03
Establish the main light source (the oil well fire) with bright yellows and oranges, blending outwards to create a glow.
step 04
Add the secondary light sources (smaller fires, moon glow) using similar techniques.
step 05
Paint the silhouettes of trees and figures, paying attention to their shapes and how they interact with the light.
step 06
Add details to the fire, including the upward streaks and the glowing embers.
step 07
Refine the details of the foreground, including the ground texture and the figures.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and drama.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · cadmium orange · burnt umber · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red · titanium white

Mix various shades of orange and yellow for the fire, using white to create highlights and burnt umber to darken the shadows. Use black and burnt umber for the dark areas, adding small amounts of orange or red to create subtle variations.

techniques

·dry brushing
·scumbling
·glazing
·chiaroscuro
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Making the fire too uniform in color and intensity.
→Not creating enough contrast between the light and dark areas.
→Overworking the details in the dark areas.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, cadmium orange, cadmium red, burnt umber, ivory black, titanium white)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife