plate no. 6041
Fishpond Bottom
Lucien Pissarro, 1915
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to depict distance.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of the hills and trees.
- step 02
Block in the sky and sea with thin washes of color, paying attention to the subtle variations in tone.
- step 03
Establish the basic shapes of the hills and fields with broad strokes of green and brown.
- step 04
Begin layering colors to create depth and texture in the foreground, using a variety of greens, yellows, and browns.
- step 05
Add details to the trees, using short, broken strokes to suggest foliage.
- step 06
Refine the shadows and highlights to create a sense of form and dimension.
- step 07
Add small details, such as the houses and fences, to create a sense of scale and perspective.
- step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition, paying attention to the balance of colors and values.
color palette
primary · sap green · yellow ochre · cerulean blue · titanium white
secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow · ultramarine blue
Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and use white to lighten the tones. Create earth tones by mixing browns, yellows, and blues.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic effect.
- →Using too much paint and creating a muddy texture.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and perspective.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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