plate no. 1146

Leenane

Paul Henry, 1913

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapemountainslakecloudslandscapehillsrocks

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to simplify complex landscapes into basic shapes and color blocks. It also teaches the importance of layering and blending to create depth and texture.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, hills, and water, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, mountains, water, and hills using thin washes.
step 03
Add darker values to the mountains and hills to create depth and form.
step 04
Begin layering lighter values on the hills to suggest sunlight and texture.
step 05
Mix and apply the subtle variations of color in the water, reflecting the sky and surrounding landscape.
step 06
Add details to the rocks and shoreline, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the clouds, blending edges to create a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 08
Add final highlights to the water and hills to create a sense of light and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · payne's gray

Mix ultramarine blue and white for the sky and distant mountains. Use raw umber and yellow ochre for the hills, adding white for highlights. Mix white with a touch of blue and umber for the water.

techniques

·blocking in
·layering
·dry brushing
·blending
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall simplicity of the scene.
→Using too much detail in the distant mountains, which should be softer and less defined.
→Not creating enough variation in the water, making it appear flat.
→Failing to capture the subtle color shifts in the sky and clouds.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, raw umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, payne's gray)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags