plate no. 5055

Ladhope hill, Yarrow

Tom Scott, 1915

oilRealismlandscaperiverhillslandscapetreesskyfields

suitable for beginners

This painting offers a good opportunity to practice atmospheric perspective and creating depth through layering and color variation. Students can also learn to simplify complex landscapes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the hills, river, and foreground, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light wash of grey and blue.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the hills with muted browns and greens, using lighter values for distant hills.
step 04
Paint the river with varying shades of blue and grey, reflecting the sky and surrounding landscape.
step 05
Add details to the foreground, including trees, bushes, and grassy areas.
step 06
Create texture on the hills and foreground using dry brush techniques.
step 07
Add subtle highlights and shadows to enhance the form of the landscape.
step 08
Refine details and adjust values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · raw umber · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix muted greens by combining raw umber, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue. Achieve atmospheric perspective by adding white to colors for distant elements.

techniques