plate no. 8329

Junction of the Severn and the Wye with a Rainbow

oilRomanticismlandscapelandscapetreesrainbowriverskyfoliage

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in atmospheric perspective and creating depth through color and value changes. Recreating it will help students understand how to blend colors to create soft transitions and capture the effects of light and weather.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line, the placement of the trees, and the curve of the rainbow.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light blue wash, blending it into the horizon.
step 03
Block in the distant landscape with muted greens and browns, paying attention to the atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Add the rainbow using soft, blended strokes of pastel colors.
step 05
Develop the foreground trees and foliage with darker greens and browns, adding details to create texture.
step 06
Refine the water areas with subtle reflections and highlights.
step 07
Add final details such as small branches, highlights on the trees, and subtle variations in the sky.
step 08
Glaze with thin washes to unify the colors and create depth.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · alizarin crimson · sap green · titanium white

Mix greens by blending yellow ochre and cerulean blue. Create atmospheric perspective by adding white to colors for distant elements. Achieve rainbow colors by layering thin washes of primary colors.

techniques