plate no. 6755

Fra Sandvikselven

oil, canvasImpressionismlandscapewaterhousetreesboatsreflectionlandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing reflections in water and using broken color to create a sense of light and atmosphere. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the house, trees, and water line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and water, then the land masses.
step 03
Establish the basic values of the reflections in the water, mirroring the colors and shapes above.
step 04
Add details to the house and trees, using broken color and visible brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Refine the reflections, paying attention to the distortion and movement of the water.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Introduce the boats, focusing on their shapes and reflections.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a harmonious balance.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · sap green · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and use white to lighten values. Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors, such as a touch of red into the greens for the foliage.

techniques

·broken color
·wet-on-wet blending
·scumbling
·alla prima
·creating reflections

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
→Making the reflections too perfect and symmetrical.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
→Ignoring the subtle value changes in the water.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 12x16
·oil paints (cerulean blue, sap green, raw umber, titanium white, cadmium yellow, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags