plate no. 6949

Lake

Andrey Shishkin, 2007

oilRealismlandscapelaketreesreedswaterskylandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and realism in foliage and reflections, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in capturing subtle variations in light and shadow across a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and placement of major elements like the trees and water's edge.
step 02
Establish the sky with light blue and cream tones, blending softly.
step 03
Block in the distant trees with muted greens and browns, paying attention to value changes to suggest depth.
step 04
Paint the water, starting with a base of dark blue and adding reflections of the sky and trees.
step 05
Add the reeds and foreground vegetation, using a variety of greens, yellows, and browns.
step 06
Refine the details of the trees, adding branches and highlights.
step 07
Add the lily pads and other details in the water, paying attention to their reflections.
step 08
Make final adjustments to values and colors to create a sense of harmony and realism.

color palette

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

secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow light · raw sienna

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and use burnt umber to darken and mute colors. Achieve the water's color by mixing blues, browns, and whites, and adjust the mix to reflect the sky and surrounding foliage.

techniques