plate no. 9013

Lake Lucerne-Afternoon

Lovis Corinth, 1924

oilImpressionismlandscapelakemountainsskycloudswaterlandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors and creating depth using atmospheric perspective. It also provides an opportunity to experiment with expressive brushstrokes to capture the movement of water and clouds.

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 mountains, lake, and sky, paying attention to the horizon line.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of light blue to the sky and a darker blue to the lake as an underpainting.
step 03
Begin layering darker blues and purples to define the mountains and create shadows.
step 04
Add lighter blues and whites to the sky to create the clouds, blending the edges softly.
step 05
Use short, choppy brushstrokes to represent the water, varying the shades of blue and adding reflections.
step 06
Introduce small touches of yellow and green to suggest vegetation and highlights.
step 07
Refine the details and add final touches of light and shadow to enhance the depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Allow to dry and add a varnish for protection.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · cerulean blue · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · purple · viridian green

Mix different shades of blue by adding white for lighter tones and purple or black for darker tones. Use yellow ochre sparingly to create subtle highlights and warmth.

techniques