plate no. 5047

Manantial

oilNaturalismlandscaperockswaterfallstreamfoliagelandscape

some experience helpful

This painting allows students to practice depicting the textures of rocks and the movement of water using broken color and layering techniques. It also provides a good exercise in creating depth through atmospheric perspective and value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the rocks and waterfall.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin underpainting using burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the large areas of color on the rocks, varying the values to suggest form and light.
step 04
Paint the waterfall, using vertical strokes and varying the thickness of the paint to create the illusion of movement.
step 05
Add details to the rocks, such as moss and lichen, using small brushstrokes and broken color.
step 06
Refine the water, adding highlights and reflections to create depth and realism.
step 07
Add the surrounding foliage, using a variety of greens and browns to create texture and interest.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and harmonious painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · viridian green · cadmium red

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, and white. Use small amounts of green and red to create subtle variations in the rock colors. Achieve the water's transparency by layering thin washes of color.

techniques