plate no. 3169
Old Corn Mill, Stockbridge
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice atmospheric perspective and learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values. It also provides practice in capturing the subtle nuances of light and shadow in a muted color palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the river, building, and trees.
- step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of blue and gray, blending the colors softly.
- step 03
Block in the large shapes of the landscape with muted greens and browns, paying attention to the values.
- step 04
Add the building and trees, refining their shapes and adding details.
- step 05
Paint the river, capturing the reflections and subtle color variations.
- step 06
Add the figures and other small details, using small brushstrokes.
- step 07
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and colors as needed.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · Prussian blue
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
Mix muted greens by combining Prussian blue, yellow ochre, and raw umber. Achieve atmospheric perspective by adding white to colors as they recede into the distance.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Ignoring atmospheric perspective and creating a flat, unrealistic landscape.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·Prussian blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a limited palette to create a harmonious color scheme. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base value.
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