plate no. 9752
Fishing on Lac Leman
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing for realistic water and foliage, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to create depth in the landscape. It also provides practice in rendering reflections and textures of rocks and trees.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the horizon line, trees, mountains, and figure.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and whites, creating a subtle gradient from top to bottom.
- step 03
Establish the distant mountains with muted blues and purples, using lighter values to suggest atmospheric perspective.
- step 04
Paint the trees and foliage, using a variety of greens, yellows, and browns to capture the autumn colors.
- step 05
Block in the water with a base layer of light blues and greens, then add reflections of the trees and sky.
- step 06
Paint the rocks along the shoreline, using grays, browns, and whites to create texture and form.
- step 07
Add the figure and other details, such as the fishing line and distant sailboat.
- step 08
Refine the painting by adjusting values, colors, and details as needed.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber
secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · viridian green
Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, and vary the shades by adding white, brown, or red. Achieve the water's transparency by layering thin washes of color and using white to create highlights. Use a limited palette to create harmony.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·rendering reflections
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Neglecting atmospheric perspective, causing the distant mountains to appear too sharp and defined.
- →Making the reflections too uniform and symmetrical.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in color and value in the water.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for good paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color and simplify the painting process.
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