plate no. 8168

Cathedral Peak, Lake O'Hara

J. E. H. MacDonald, 1927

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)landscapemountainslaketreesskylandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and using visible brushstrokes to add texture and visual interest. It also provides practice in simplifying complex landscapes into basic shapes and forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the mountain shapes, lake, and foreground.
step 02
Establish the sky with light washes of color, blending pinks, yellows, and blues.
step 03
Block in the mountain masses with a base layer of orange and brown hues.
step 04
Add shadows to the mountains using darker browns and purples, defining the peaks and ridges.
step 05
Paint the lake with a mix of blues and greens, reflecting the sky and surrounding landscape.
step 06
Develop the foreground with layers of greens and browns, using diagonal brushstrokes to suggest the slope.
step 07
Add details to the trees and rocks in the foreground, varying the brushstrokes for texture.
step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · orange · blue · green · brown

secondary · pink · yellow · purple

Achieve the mountain colors by mixing orange with browns and a touch of purple for shadows. The lake color is a blend of blue and green with white highlights.

techniques