plate no. 1642

Cenotaph to the Memory of Sir Joshua Reynolds

oil, canvasRomanticismlandscapetreesforestdeermonumentlandscapesky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, and in rendering complex textures like tree bark and foliage. It also provides practice in depicting subtle lighting and creating a sense of mood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the monument, deer, and major tree trunks.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or similar earth tone.
step 03
Begin layering in the darker areas of the trees and undergrowth, using a mix of browns and blacks.
step 04
Add highlights to the trees and foliage using lighter shades of brown, ochre, and touches of green.
step 05
Paint the sky with soft, blended strokes of blue, gray, and white.
step 06
Develop the monument with careful attention to its form and the way light falls on it.
step 07
Add the deer, paying attention to its anatomy and the way it interacts with the light.
step 08
Refine details and add final touches to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · sap green

Achieve the various shades of brown by mixing burnt umber with black, yellow ochre, and white. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, and add touches of yellow ochre for warmth. Mix sap green with browns and yellows for the foliage.

techniques

·layering
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·glazing
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Getting the values too dark too quickly, losing the sense of light and air.
→Overworking the details, resulting in a flat, lifeless painting.
→Neglecting the atmospheric perspective, causing the background to appear too sharp.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the trees and foliage, leading to a monotonous palette.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·burnt umber oil paint
·raw sienna oil paint
·ivory black oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·linseed oil

optional

·palette knife
·turpentine
·medium gloss
·easel

Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for better paint adhesion and blending. Consider using a toned canvas (e.g., with a thin wash of burnt umber) to establish a base value.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

chat about this artwork

in this vein