plate no. 2558

Crossing the Severn

David Bates, 1905

oilRealismgenre paintinglandscaperivercowsfiguretreesmountains

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective, color mixing for natural light, and depicting reflections in water. Students can also learn how to simplify complex forms like trees and animals into basic shapes.

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 horizon line, river flow, and placement of major elements.
step 02
Block in the sky and distant mountains with thin washes of color, establishing the overall atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Paint the background trees and fields, gradually adding more detail and texture as you move forward.
step 04
Establish the basic shapes and values of the cows and figure, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 05
Add the river, focusing on capturing the reflections of the sky, trees, and cows.
step 06
Refine the details of the foreground, including the grass, rocks, and the figure's clothing.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension, especially on the cows and in the water.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a harmonious and realistic effect.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · raw sienna

Mix muted greens by combining yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and a touch of burnt umber. Achieve atmospheric perspective by adding white to colors for distant elements. Create realistic skin tones for the cows by mixing burnt umber, cadmium red, and white.

techniques