plate no. 7073
Oxford, on the Cherwell
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in capturing the reflections in water. It also provides practice in painting foliage and tree bark with visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, indicating the placement of the trees, river, and horizon line.
- step 02
Establish the base colors for the sky and water using thin washes.
- step 03
Block in the dark values of the trees and foliage.
- step 04
Begin layering lighter greens and yellows to create highlights in the grass and leaves.
- step 05
Add details to the tree trunks, using browns and grays to define the bark texture.
- step 06
Paint the reflections in the water, mirroring the colors and shapes of the trees and sky.
- step 07
Add small details like flowers and individual blades of grass.
- step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and colors as needed.
color palette
primary · viridian green · yellow ochre · burnt umber
secondary · titanium white · cerulean blue · cadmium yellow
Mix greens by combining viridian green with yellow ochre or cadmium yellow. Create browns by mixing burnt umber with yellow ochre and a touch of blue. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·dry brush texture
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Making the colors too uniform and lacking variation.
- →Failing to capture the subtle reflections in the water.
- →Ignoring the importance of value contrast in creating depth.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits or turpentine (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·painting knife
Use a medium-grain canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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