plate no. 1420

Landscape with a Waterfall

oilNeoclassicismlandscapemountainswaterfalltreesrocksskyfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to create depth using color and value changes. It also provides practice in rendering realistic textures of rocks, trees, and flowing water.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the mountains, waterfall, and major rock formations.
step 02
Establish the sky and distant mountains with thin washes of color, paying attention to the atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Block in the larger areas of the landscape, such as the trees and rocks, using broad brushstrokes.
step 04
Begin to refine the details of the rocks, adding highlights and shadows to create form.
step 05
Paint the waterfall, focusing on capturing the movement and texture of the water.
step 06
Add details to the trees and foliage, using a variety of greens and browns.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Mix various shades of brown and green by combining the primary and secondary colors. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Create atmospheric perspective by adding blue to distant colors.

techniques