plate no. 3557
Gordon Hill
T. C. Steele, 1897
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the river's perspective and the placement of the treeline.
- step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of muted colors.
- step 03
Block in the large shapes of the fields and the hill using broad strokes of yellow and green.
- step 04
Define the river with darker, cooler tones, paying attention to reflections.
- step 05
Add details to the trees, using varied greens and yellows to create depth and texture.
- step 06
Layer brushstrokes to build up the foliage and create a sense of depth.
- step 07
Add highlights to the fields and trees to create a sense of light and shadow.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed to achieve a harmonious composition.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · sap green · ultramarine blue
secondary · burnt sienna · titanium white · raw umber
Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Use burnt sienna and raw umber to create earth tones for the river and shadows. Add titanium white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·Impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Neglecting the importance of value contrast.
- →Failing to capture the atmospheric perspective.
- →Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and unnatural look.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·mineral spirits
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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