plate no. 5437

Piute Fishing on the Merced River, Yosemite Valley 1891

oilRomanticismlandscapemountainsrivertreesrockswaterfallfigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering realistic textures for rocks, trees, and water. It also provides practice in creating depth and capturing the mood of 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 shapes of the mountains, river, and trees, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the general layout of the landscape.
step 03
Block in the main color masses for the sky, mountains, water, and foliage using thin washes.
step 04
Develop the values in the mountains, creating depth and form with light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the trees and foliage, varying the colors and textures to create a sense of realism.
step 06
Paint the river, capturing the reflections and movement of the water.
step 07
Add the rocks and foreground details, paying attention to their shapes and textures.
step 08
Refine the details and add highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · sap green

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining raw umber, ultramarine blue, and titanium white. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to add warmth to the rocks and foliage. Mix sap green with raw umber for darker greens.

techniques