plate no. 1063

Cottages by a River

oil, canvasRealismlandscaperivercottagestreesskyreedsboat

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting reflections in water and creating atmospheric perspective. Students will also learn to simplify complex shapes into basic forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the cottages, river, and trees.
step 02
Establish the sky and water with broad, blended strokes of color.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the cottages and trees, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 04
Add details to the cottages, such as windows, doors, and roof tiles.
step 05
Develop the reflections in the water, using broken brushstrokes and slightly darker values.
step 06
Paint the reeds and other vegetation in the foreground, using dry brush techniques to create texture.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · sap green · raw sienna

Mix various shades of brown and green by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and sap green. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·broken color
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, which can make the painting look stiff and unnatural.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Making the reflections too symmetrical or identical to the objects they reflect.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, burnt umber, cadmium red, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, sap green)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife