plate no. 6947
Morning on the Kennet
Alfred Parsons, 1880
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice atmospheric perspective and learn to simplify complex reflections in water. It also provides practice in rendering subtle variations in light and shadow across a landscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the river, trees, and horizon line.
- step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of muted yellow and gray.
- step 03
Block in the distant trees and hills with darker greens and browns, using atmospheric perspective to lighten and desaturate the colors as they recede.
- step 04
Paint the river with horizontal strokes, capturing the overall tone and color.
- step 05
Add the larger trees and foliage, paying attention to their shapes and values.
- step 06
Begin adding reflections in the water, mirroring the shapes and colors of the objects above, but with softened edges and slightly darker values.
- step 07
Add details like the boat, figures, and birds, keeping them simple and suggestive.
- step 08
Refine the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · sap green
secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna
Mix muted greens by combining sap green with burnt umber and yellow ochre. Achieve the sky color by mixing titanium white with small amounts of yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Use raw sienna and burnt umber for the boat.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details, especially in the reflections.
- →Making the colors too saturated, losing the muted atmosphere.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Ignoring atmospheric perspective, resulting in a flat image.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (12x16 or similar)
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (#2, #4, #6)
- ·flat brush (#6 or #8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil or acrylic medium
- ·mineral spirits or water (depending on medium)
optional
- ·easel
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
A toned canvas (lightly tinted with burnt umber) can be helpful for establishing the overall color harmony.
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