plate no. 7274

Falls of the Ohio, Louisville

oilTonalismlandscapelandscaperivertreesfigurescityscapefoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and color mixing to create depth and mood. It also provides practice in rendering foliage and water with subtle variations in tone and texture.

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 placement of the tree, river, and distant cityscape.
step 02
Establish the sky and distant background with thin washes of muted colors, creating a sense of atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the trees and foliage, using a range of greens and browns.
step 04
Paint the river, capturing the reflections and subtle color variations in the water.
step 05
Add details to the foreground, including the rocks, sand, and figures.
step 06
Refine the foliage, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and texture.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a harmonious and atmospheric effect.
step 08
Add final details, such as the branches of the tree and the details of the figures.

color palette

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

secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create a range of grays and browns. Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and adjust with browns for natural shades.

techniques