plate no. 3223

Koli

Eero Järnefelt, 1935

oilRealismlandscapelandscapetreesrocksskywaterfoliage

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in atmospheric perspective and rendering varied textures using loose brushwork. Students will learn to simplify complex forms and capture the essence of a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and major shapes of the rocks and trees.
step 02
Establish the sky and distant water with diluted washes of gray and lavender.
step 03
Block in the general colors of the landscape, starting with the darkest areas of the trees and shadows.
step 04
Add details to the rocks, using varied greens, browns, and grays to create texture and form.
step 05
Paint the trees, focusing on the shapes of the branches and the colors of the foliage.
step 06
Refine the details of the foreground, adding small plants and highlights to the rocks.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · gray · green · brown · ochre

secondary · lavender · red · yellow

Mix grays by combining complementary colors (e.g., blue and orange). Achieve earthy tones by blending browns, greens, and ochre. Use white to lighten values and create atmospheric haze.

techniques