plate no. 2639
On the mountains
Mikhaïl Nesterov, 1896
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering realistic fabric folds. It also provides practice in depicting a complex landscape with subtle color variations.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the river.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, distant hills, river, and foreground.
- step 03
Establish the values of the figure's clothing, paying attention to light and shadow.
- step 04
Add details to the landscape, such as trees, fields, and small structures.
- step 05
Refine the figure's face and hands, capturing the expression and pose.
- step 06
Paint the flowers, focusing on their color and form.
- step 07
Add final details and highlights to the entire painting.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and create depth.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · Prussian blue
secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ivory black
Achieve the muted greens of the landscape by mixing Prussian blue, yellow ochre, and raw umber. Use white to lighten the colors and create atmospheric perspective. Mix red and black for the darks in the figure's clothing.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·glazing
- ·rendering fabric
- ·color mixing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overly bright or saturated colors can ruin the muted atmosphere.
- →Incorrect proportions of the figure can detract from the overall composition.
- →Lack of attention to detail in the landscape can make it appear flat.
- →Ignoring the subtle value changes in the sky can make it look unrealistic.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
- ·painting medium
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-sized canvas (16x20 or 18x24) is recommended.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
