plate no. 2028

Landscape with Waterfall and Figures

oil, canvasNeoclassicismlandscapelandscapewaterfallfigurestreesarchitecturesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering complex foliage and rock formations. It also provides practice in depicting figures within a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the waterfall, rocks, and figures.
step 02
Establish the sky with a gradient from light blue at the horizon to a deeper blue overhead.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the rocks and trees using dark and mid-tone values.
step 04
Begin layering colors on the rocks, creating highlights and shadows to define their form.
step 05
Paint the waterfall, using thin washes of white and blue to create the illusion of movement.
step 06
Add details to the trees, varying the color and value of the leaves to create depth.
step 07
Paint the figures, paying attention to their proportions and clothing details.
step 08
Refine the details and add final highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of green by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Create warm browns by mixing burnt umber with yellow ochre and a touch of alizarin crimson. Achieve the sky's gradient by gradually adding white to ultramarine blue.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·layering
·dry brushing

common pitfalls

→overworking the details
→flattening the forms
→inconsistent lighting
→incorrect proportions of figures

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette knife