plate no. 8933
Pool in the Adirondacks
Ralph Blakelock, 1875
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, and in using broken color techniques to represent foliage and reflections. It also encourages careful observation of tonal relationships in a muted palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Prepare a toned canvas with a warm brown or ochre.
- step 02
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, water, and horizon line.
- step 03
Block in the sky with light, muted tones, blending softly.
- step 04
Establish the dark masses of the foliage using a mix of browns and greens.
- step 05
Begin layering lighter tones to suggest the leaves and branches, using broken color techniques.
- step 06
Paint the water, capturing the reflections of the surrounding landscape.
- step 07
Add details such as the fallen log and highlights on the water's surface.
- step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · raw sienna · ultramarine blue · ivory black
Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white. Use thin glazes of color to build depth and luminosity.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall atmospheric effect.
- →Creating too much contrast, which can flatten the image.
- →Failing to capture the subtle tonal variations in the sky and water.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
A pre-toned canvas will help establish the warm, muted tones of the painting.
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