plate no. 2022
Cranberry Lake
Franklin Carmichael, 1938
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify complex landscapes into basic shapes and practice layering colors to create depth and texture. It also provides practice in creating a sense of atmospheric perspective.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, lake, trees, and foreground.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, gradually darkening towards the horizon.
- step 03
Establish the basic colors of the mountains, using darker greens and blues for distant ranges.
- step 04
Paint the lake with varying shades of blue, adding highlights to suggest water reflections.
- step 05
Block in the tree trunks with dark browns, paying attention to their verticality and spacing.
- step 06
Add the foreground foliage with a mix of greens, yellows, and browns, creating a textured effect.
- step 07
Refine the details of the trees and foliage, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
- step 08
Add final touches, such as reflections in the water and subtle color variations in the sky.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow · raw sienna
Mix blues and whites to create the sky and lake. Combine browns, yellows, and greens for the foliage. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the foreground
- →Making the colors too saturated
- →Not establishing a clear light source
- →Ignoring the atmospheric perspective
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·mineral spirits
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·easel
- ·painting medium
Use a medium-grit canvas for better texture. Consider using a glazing medium to enhance the depth of colors.
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