plate no. 6565

Landscape with river (June 1941)

Vittorio Tessari, 1941

oil, panelNaturalismlandscapetreesriverlandscapehousecloudsfield

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and practicing loose, expressive brushstrokes to capture the texture of the landscape. It also provides an opportunity to understand atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, river, trees, and house.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of blue and white, blending for soft clouds.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the landscape with broad strokes of green and brown.
step 04
Add the darker values to the trees and foreground to create depth.
step 05
Paint the house with a warm red roof and light-colored walls, keeping it soft and slightly blurred.
step 06
Refine the details of the trees, adding branches and leaves with varied brushstrokes.
step 07
Add highlights to the river and foliage to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
step 08
Finish with small details like wildflowers and reflections in the water.

color palette

primary · viridian green · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · cadmium red

Mix greens by combining viridian green and yellow ochre. Create muted browns by mixing burnt sienna with ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten values and create atmospheric haze.

techniques

·layering
·blending
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Creating too much contrast, making the painting look harsh.
→Failing to establish a clear sense of depth and perspective.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, resulting in a flat, uninteresting palette.