plate no. 8967

Rainbow 2

Konstantin Somov, 1908

oilSymbolismlandscapelandscaperainbowcloudsfieldtreesreflection

some experience helpful

This painting helps develop skills in atmospheric perspective and subtle color blending to create a sense of depth and mood. Students will learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, the placement of the rainbow arcs, and the major landforms.
step 02
Block in the sky with light washes of gray, white, and hints of blue, focusing on the cloud shapes.
step 03
Establish the base color of the field with a mix of greens and yellows, varying the tones to suggest undulation.
step 04
Add the darker areas of the field to represent shadows and reflections in the water.
step 05
Paint the treeline with darker greens and browns, softening the edges to blend with the background.
step 06
Carefully apply the colors of the rainbow, blending them softly into the surrounding sky.
step 07
Add details to the foreground, such as grasses and small reflections.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and colors as needed to create a harmonious effect.