plate no. 5308
Mount Washington from the Valley of Conway
John Frederick Kensett, 1869
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering to create depth. Students will also learn to mix subtle color variations to represent light and shadow in a landscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, dividing the canvas into foreground, middle ground, and background.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, blending it smoothly.
- step 03
Establish the mountain ranges, using progressively lighter and bluer tones for distant peaks.
- step 04
Paint the valley floor with a base of green and brown, adding details of fields and trees.
- step 05
Add the details of the buildings and structures in the middle ground.
- step 06
Paint the foreground trees and foliage, focusing on variations in color and texture.
- step 07
Add highlights to the trees and mountains to create a sense of light.
- step 08
Refine details and blend edges to achieve a soft, luminous effect.
color palette
primary · cerulean blue · raw umber · sap green · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson
Mix blues with white to create the sky and distant mountains. Use raw umber and sap green for the valley, adjusting the ratio to create variations in tone. Add small amounts of alizarin crimson to darken greens and browns.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the background, which can flatten the image.
- →Using too much contrast, which can make the painting look harsh.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective.
- →Not blending colors smoothly enough, resulting in a choppy appearance.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cerulean blue oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·sap green oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a pre-primed canvas to save time.
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