plate no. 7560

Mestecanis

oilRealismlandscapelandscapetreeswaterskyrocksfoliage

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing loose brushwork and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. Students can learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and placement of major elements.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light blue and white.
step 03
Establish the dark masses of trees and foliage with a mix of dark green and brown.
step 04
Add the mid-tones to the foreground, creating the illusion of water and reflections.
step 05
Define the shapes of the rocks and trees with thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Add highlights to the trees and foliage to create a sense of light and form.
step 07
Refine the details, paying attention to the edges and textures.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · sap green · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow. Use white to lighten values and create atmospheric perspective. Add raw umber to darken greens and create shadows.

techniques