plate no. 0648
Flood
Victor Zaretsky, 1970
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as practicing detailed brushwork for rendering branches and reflections. It also encourages observation of subtle color variations in nature.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of trees and the waterline.
- step 02
Establish the background sky and distant trees with diluted washes of color.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the trees and water, paying attention to the overall color harmony.
- step 04
Begin layering colors to create depth and dimension in the trees and foliage.
- step 05
Add details to the branches and twigs, using a fine brush.
- step 06
Create the reflections in the water by mirroring the colors and shapes above.
- step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final touches and adjust the overall balance of the painting.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white · cerulean blue
secondary · sap green · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson
Mix various shades of green by combining yellow ochre, sap green, and raw umber. Create muted blues and grays by mixing cerulean blue with raw umber and white. Achieve the warm browns by blending burnt sienna, raw umber, and alizarin crimson.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·rendering reflections
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Using colors that are too saturated or bright.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the landscape.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil or acrylic medium
- ·odorless mineral spirits or water
optional
- ·easel
- ·rags
- ·varnish
- ·painting medium
Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for better paint adhesion. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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