plate no. 6603
El Popocatépetl y el Iztaccíhuatl desde el lago de Chalco
Jose Maria Velasco, 1882
some experience helpful
This painting provides an opportunity to practice atmospheric perspective and color mixing to create depth. Students can also develop their skills in rendering reflections and detailed foliage.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and placement of mountains, lake, and islands.
- step 02
Establish the sky with a gradient from light blue at the horizon to a slightly deeper blue overhead.
- step 03
Block in the distant mountains with muted blues and browns, paying attention to value changes to suggest form.
- step 04
Paint the plains with a base layer of ochre and add variations in color and value to create texture and depth.
- step 05
Begin painting the lake with a light blue-green base, reflecting the sky and surrounding landscape.
- step 06
Add details to the islands, using a variety of greens, browns, and yellows to represent foliage.
- step 07
Refine the reflections in the water, using broken brushstrokes and subtle color variations.
- step 08
Add final details such as highlights on the water and foliage, and adjust values as needed to create a sense of depth and realism.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · viridian · cadmium yellow light · raw sienna
Mix muted blues and browns for the mountains by combining ultramarine blue, burnt umber, and a touch of white. Achieve the greens for the foliage by mixing viridian with yellow ochre and white. Create the water color by mixing ultramarine blue, white, and a touch of yellow ochre.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color mixing
- ·broken brushstrokes
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overly bright colors in the distance
- →Lack of value contrast
- →Ignoring reflections
- →Oversimplifying the foliage
- →Not establishing a clear focal point
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·#10 filbert brush
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-tooth canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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