plate no. 7204

Landscape with bathing nymph

oilBaroquemythological paintinglandscapenymphtreesmountainskyfigures

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in glazing, creating atmospheric perspective, and rendering the human form in a naturalistic setting. It also provides practice in working with a limited palette to create a range of values and hues.

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 figures, mountain, and trees.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber, paying attention to the areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Begin layering in the sky with thin glazes of blue, white, and ochre, blending the colors softly.
step 04
Work on the mountain, building up the form with layers of brown, ochre, and white, using dry brush techniques to create texture.
step 05
Paint the trees and foliage, using a variety of greens and browns to create depth and variation.
step 06
Carefully render the figures, paying attention to anatomy and light.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the birds and the red cloth, to complete the composition.
step 08
Glaze the entire painting with a thin layer of medium to unify the colors and add depth.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red

Achieve the various greens by mixing ultramarine blue and yellow ochre. Use burnt umber and white to create a range of browns and grays for the landscape. Mix cadmium red and white for the red cloth.

techniques