plate no. 6031

Light and Shadow

Franklin Carmichael, 1937

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)landscapemountainslakeskycloudslandscapehills

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify complex landscapes into basic shapes and practice layering colors to create depth and shadow. It's also a good exercise in capturing light and reflections on water.

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, lake, and sky, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and the distant mountains.
step 03
Establish the dark shadows on the mountains and hills, using a mix of dark greens and browns.
step 04
Add the highlights on the mountains and hills, using lighter greens, yellows, and browns.
step 05
Paint the lake, focusing on the reflections of the sky and mountains.
step 06
Refine the details of the mountains and hills, adding texture and variation to the brushstrokes.
step 07
Add the clouds in the sky, blending the edges to create a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Yellow Ochre · Burnt Umber · Titanium White

secondary · Sap Green · Cadmium Yellow · Ultramarine Blue

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and create shadows by adding burnt umber to the greens and blues. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques