plate no. 2207

Nymphs Resting

wood, oilRomanticismlandscapelandscapewaterfalltreesfiguresrocksfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as understanding how light interacts with different surfaces in a natural setting. Students will also practice painting figures in a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the waterfall, trees, rocks, and figures.
step 02
Establish the sky and background foliage with thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the larger shapes of the trees and rocks, paying attention to their values.
step 04
Begin layering colors to create depth and form in the trees and foliage.
step 05
Develop the waterfall, using white and light blues to suggest movement and highlights.
step 06
Add details to the rocks, using dry brush techniques to create texture.
step 07
Paint the figures, focusing on their form and placement within the landscape.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · sap green · raw umber · titanium white · cerulean blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson

Mix greens by blending sap green with yellow ochre and raw umber. Create highlights by adding titanium white to existing colors. Use burnt sienna and alizarin crimson for warmer tones in the rocks and figures.

techniques