plate no. 8605
Nellie Lake
A.Y. Jackson, 1933
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and form, as well as practicing expressive brushstrokes to capture the texture of the landscape. Students will also learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and color blocks.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, lake, and foreground rocks.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the overall composition.
- step 03
Block in the main color areas for the sky, mountains, lake, and rocks using thin washes.
- step 04
Begin layering colors to define the forms of the mountains and rocks, paying attention to light and shadow.
- step 05
Add details to the trees and foliage, using short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the reflections in the lake, using horizontal strokes.
- step 07
Add final details and highlights to create depth and texture.
- step 08
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments to the colors and values.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · yellow ochre
secondary · viridian green · cadmium red · titanium white
Mix various shades of brown and ochre for the rocks and mountains by combining burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·broken color
- ·layering
- ·color mixing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
- →Ignoring the importance of value contrast.
- →Failing to simplify the complex forms of the landscape.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·viridian green oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·#6 round brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-tooth canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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