plate no. 9905

Indian Camp - Lake McDonald

Charles M. Russell, 1901

oilRomanticismgenre paintinglakemountainstreesfigurecanoeforest

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering watercolor washes to create depth and atmosphere, as well as rendering complex textures like foliage and reflections in water.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: mountains, lake, figure, trees, and canoe.
step 02
Establish the sky and distant mountain colors with diluted washes of blues and purples.
step 03
Apply a light wash to the lake, reflecting the sky and mountains.
step 04
Begin layering washes on the trees and foliage, building up darker values in the shadows.
step 05
Paint the figure and canoe, paying attention to the light and shadow on their forms.
step 06
Add details to the foreground, including rocks, branches, and reflections in the water.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · alizarin crimson · raw sienna

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre

Mix blues and crimson for the mountains and sky. Use raw sienna and burnt umber for the canoe and trees. Vary the intensity of colors by diluting with water.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·layering washes
·glazing
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early.
→Using colors that are too saturated.
→Not allowing washes to dry completely before layering.
→Losing the sense of atmosphere and depth.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints (cerulean blue, alizarin crimson, raw sienna, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, yellow ochre)
·round watercolor brushes (various sizes)
·palette
·water container
·masking tape
·pencil
·kneaded eraser