plate no. 1252
Cottage by a Stream
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the cottage, stream, and horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas: sky, water, foliage, and building, using thin washes.
- step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns on the cottage and surrounding landscape.
- step 04
Develop the reflections in the water, paying attention to color and value shifts.
- step 05
Add details to the foliage, using broken brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Refine the details of the cottage, including the brickwork and roof.
- step 07
Add the birds as small, gestural marks.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to color, value, and detail to unify the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium orange
secondary · ultramarine blue · sap green · cadmium red
Achieve the warm, muted tones by mixing earth tones with small amounts of blues and reds. Use white to lighten values and create atmospheric perspective.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details, losing the overall impressionistic effect.
- →Making the reflections too symmetrical or literal.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in a harsh or unnatural look.
- →Ignoring the subtle value shifts that create depth.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium orange oil paint
- ·round brushes (#2, #6)
- ·flat brushes (#4, #8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·turpentine
- ·medium (alkyd)
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for good paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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