plate no. 2337
Daisy by the River
T. C. Steele, 1891
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in a landscape and capturing the subtle color variations in natural light and reflections. It also provides practice in creating texture with visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the main shapes: figure, rocks, water, and background.
- step 02
Establish the basic color blocks for the background foliage and the rocks, using a thin wash.
- step 03
Paint the figure, focusing on the overall shape and color of the dress before adding details.
- step 04
Develop the water reflections, paying attention to the colors and values reflected from the surrounding landscape.
- step 05
Add details to the rocks and foliage, using varied brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Refine the figure's details, including the face, hands, and book.
- step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and details.
color palette
primary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · titanium white · alizarin crimson
secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · raw umber
Mix various shades of brown and green by combining the primary colors with ultramarine blue and raw umber. Use titanium white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Achieve the dress color by mixing alizarin crimson with burnt sienna and a touch of white.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·dry brush texture
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the reflections.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·alizarin crimson oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·round brushes (#2, #6)
- ·flat brushes (#4, #8)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for good paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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