plate no. 6016

North Shore, Lake Superior

A.Y. Jackson, 1926

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)landscapelandscapehillslakeskycloudsfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and form, as well as simplifying complex landscapes into basic shapes and forms. It also provides practice in creating atmospheric perspective through color and value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the hills, lake, and sky, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the overall composition.
step 03
Block in the main color areas with thin washes of color, starting with the sky and lake.
step 04
Layer in the darker values on the hills to create form and depth.
step 05
Add the mid-tones and highlights to the hills, blending the colors to create smooth transitions.
step 06
Paint the details of the foliage in the foreground, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Refine the details of the sky and lake, adding subtle variations in color and value.
step 08
Add final touches and adjustments to the overall composition.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · raw umber · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix burnt sienna and yellow ochre for the warm earth tones. Add white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Use raw umber to darken the shadows. A touch of ultramarine blue can cool down the earth tones.

techniques

·layering
·blending
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of simplicity.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not blending them properly.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and distance.
→Not paying attention to the values and creating a flat, lifeless painting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes (#2, #6)
·flat brushes (#4, #8)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
·odorless mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)

optional

·painting medium
·easel
·varnish

Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for better paint adhesion. Acrylics are faster drying and easier to clean up, while oils offer richer colors and blending capabilities.

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