plate no. 7569

Kootenai Camp on Swan Lake (unfinished)

Charles M. Russell, 1926

oilRomanticismlandscapelakemountainstreestipisskylandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering techniques to create depth. Students will also practice rendering reflections in water and suggesting details with loose brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, mountains, lake, and placement of the tipis.
step 02
Establish the sky with light blues and purples, blending the colors softly.
step 03
Paint the distant mountains with muted blues and grays, suggesting snow-capped peaks.
step 04
Block in the dark green of the forest, using variations in tone to create depth.
step 05
Add the lighter greens and yellows of the foreground trees and grasses.
step 06
Paint the tipis with off-white and beige tones, adding shadows to define their forms.
step 07
Create the lake with horizontal strokes of blue and gray, reflecting the sky and landscape.
step 08
Add details such as tree trunks, branches, and reflections in the water.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · sap green

Mix blues and whites for the sky and mountains. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber for earth tones. Add small amounts of alizarin crimson to darken greens and browns.

techniques