plate no. 3002

Gathering Storm, High Seas

oil, canvasImpressionismlandscapemountainscloudslakelandscapetreesvegetation

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing for atmospheric perspective and layering brushstrokes to create texture and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, hills, and lake, establishing the horizon line.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of diluted color to establish the overall color scheme and value ranges.
step 03
Begin layering thicker paint to define the shapes of the mountains and clouds, focusing on light and shadow.
step 04
Add details to the foreground, including the trees, bushes, and reflections in the water.
step 05
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, paying attention to the atmospheric perspective.
step 06
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to the mountains and foreground.
step 08
Let the painting dry and then add a final layer of varnish for protection and to enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white · alizarin crimson

secondary · viridian green · burnt sienna · purple

Mix blues and whites for the sky and distant mountains, yellows and browns for the hills, and greens and blues for the foreground vegetation. Use alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue for the purples in the shadows.

techniques

·broken color
·impasto
·atmospheric perspective
·color layering
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Neglecting the importance of value contrast.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and distance.
→Applying paint too thickly too early in the process.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, titanium white, alizarin crimson, viridian green, burnt sienna)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags