plate no. 7506
La chute d'eau
Andre Bauchant, 1929
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors to create depth and texture in rocks and water, and understanding atmospheric perspective to create a sense of distance.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, rocks, and waterfall, paying attention to the overall composition.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and yellows, blending softly.
- step 03
Establish the base colors for the mountains and rocks using browns and grays.
- step 04
Begin layering darker and lighter tones to define the rock formations and create texture.
- step 05
Paint the waterfall using white and light gray, indicating the flow and movement of the water with vertical strokes.
- step 06
Add details to the architecture, using a small brush for precision.
- step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows on the rocks and waterfall to enhance the three-dimensional effect.
- step 08
Add final touches to the sky and clouds, blending colors as needed.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · cerulean blue
secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · payne's gray
Mix browns and grays by combining raw umber, white, and a touch of blue or yellow. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Create the green for the mountain by mixing blue and yellow.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the rocks
- →Making the waterfall too uniform and lacking movement
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the sky
- →Not establishing a clear light source
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cerulean blue oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·easel
Use a canvas with a smooth texture to facilitate blending. Consider using a medium to thin the paint for smoother application.
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