plate no. 1358

Chaudière Falls, Canada

oilRomanticismlandscapewaterfallrockstreesriverskyfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic water and rock textures, as well as atmospheric perspective to create depth in a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the waterfall, rocks, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: sky, water, rocks, and foliage.
step 03
Establish the dark and light values to create form and depth.
step 04
Begin to refine the details of the waterfall, focusing on the movement and texture of the water.
step 05
Add details to the rocks, trees, and foliage, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Develop the atmospheric perspective by softening the details and lightening the colors in the distance.
step 07
Add highlights to the water and rocks to create a sense of light and reflection.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors, values, and details to create a cohesive and realistic landscape.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix burnt sienna and ultramarine blue to create the dark browns and grays for the rocks and shadows. Use titanium white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix yellow ochre and ultramarine blue for muted greens.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·scumbling
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
→Creating too much contrast and making the painting look harsh.
→Not paying attention to the perspective and creating a flat, unrealistic landscape.