plate no. 6091
Kochel: Waterfall I
Wassily Kandinsky, 1900
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in applying thick, expressive brushstrokes and mixing a range of greens and yellows to represent foliage and light.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the waterfall, rocks, and trees with light pencil lines.
- step 02
Apply a thin wash of burnt umber to establish the underpainting and general composition.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color: greens for foliage, browns for rocks, and white for the waterfall.
- step 04
Use thick, visible brushstrokes to build up the texture and form of the rocks and trees.
- step 05
Mix various shades of green and yellow to create depth and variation in the foliage.
- step 06
Add highlights to the waterfall with pure white and touches of blue.
- step 07
Define the edges of the rocks and trees with darker tones.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed to match the original painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · sap green · burnt umber
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow light · raw sienna
Mix greens by combining yellow ochre, sap green, and ultramarine blue. Create variations in brown by mixing burnt umber with yellow ochre and a touch of blue.
techniques
- ·impasto
- ·broken color
- ·wet-on-dry layering
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →over-blending colors, resulting in a muddy appearance
- →not varying the brushstrokes enough, leading to a flat texture
- →failing to capture the movement of the water
- →ignoring the light source and creating inconsistent shadows
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (flat and round)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the visibility of the brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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