plate no. 7552
Morning Reflections
Robert Henri, 1910
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the mood of a city scene with limited color palette. It also encourages simplification of forms and suggestive brushwork.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and figures, focusing on composition.
- step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of yellow and green for the sky and light areas.
- step 03
Block in the darker masses of the buildings using muted browns and grays.
- step 04
Add details to the figures and carriages, using small brushstrokes and pops of red for emphasis.
- step 05
Soften edges and blend colors to create a sense of atmosphere and distance.
- step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows to add depth and dimension.
- step 07
Add subtle details like street lines and suggestions of trees.
- step 08
Review and adjust the overall balance of the painting.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · sap green · payne's gray
Mix yellow ochre with white for the sky, raw umber with white and a touch of blue for the buildings. Use small amounts of red to add accents to figures.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·limited palette
- ·tonal painting
common pitfalls
- →Overworking details and losing the atmospheric effect.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Creating hard edges that break the illusion of distance.
- →Failing to establish a clear focal point.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brush (size 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil or acrylic medium
- ·mineral spirits or water (for cleaning)
optional
- ·easel
- ·rags
- ·apron
Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for easier blending and scumbling. A toned canvas (e.g., with a thin wash of burnt umber) can also be helpful.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
