plate no. 2756

On the Ausable River, Essex County, NY

oilRomanticismlandscaperivertreesautumnlandscapefoliagesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as capturing reflections in water. It also offers practice in rendering realistic foliage with varied colors and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the river, trees, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light blue wash, blending it softly towards the horizon.
step 03
Block in the main color masses for the trees and foliage, using a mix of reds, yellows, and oranges.
step 04
Paint the river with a base color of brown and add reflections of the trees and sky, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 05
Add details to the trees, including branches and leaves, using a variety of brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the foliage with highlights and shadows, creating depth and texture.
step 07
Add details to the riverbank and foreground, including rocks and vegetation.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a harmonious and realistic landscape.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · cadmium red · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · cadmium yellow light

Achieve the warm autumn colors by mixing reds, yellows, and browns. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Mix blue and brown to create the muted tones in the distant trees and reflections.

techniques