plate no. 7282
Lake Superior
Lawren Harris, 1928
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. It also provides practice in creating a sense of light and reflection on water.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of the clouds and rocks.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the sky, water, and rocks, using thinned paint.
- step 03
Add darker values to the rocks to create form and depth.
- step 04
Layer lighter blues and whites in the sky to create the cloud formations.
- step 05
Create the water reflection with horizontal strokes of white and light blue.
- step 06
Refine the shapes of the clouds and rocks, adding details and highlights.
- step 07
Blend the edges of the clouds and water to create a soft, atmospheric effect.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the sense of light and depth.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · raw umber
secondary · payne's gray · yellow ochre
Mix ultramarine blue and white for the sky, adding small amounts of raw umber to create variations in tone. Use raw umber and payne's gray for the rocks, adding white for highlights. Mix white with a touch of blue for the water reflection.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the blending, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Failing to simplify the forms of the clouds and rocks.
- →Using too much white, which can flatten the image.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the sky and water.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·oil paints (ultramarine blue, titanium white, raw umber, payne's gray, yellow ochre)
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Pre-tinting the canvas with a thin wash of raw umber can help to create a warm undertone.
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