plate no. 7272
River Landscape
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective. Students will also learn to simplify complex natural forms into basic shapes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the landscape: the cliffs, river, and distant hills.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light blue and white.
- step 03
Establish the main color masses for the cliffs, using a mix of ochre, umber, and white.
- step 04
Paint the distant hills and trees with muted greens and yellows, focusing on atmospheric perspective.
- step 05
Block in the river with a mix of ochre, white, and a touch of blue, paying attention to reflections.
- step 06
Add the dark rocks in the riverbed, using dark browns and blacks.
- step 07
Develop the foreground details, adding texture and variations in color to the grass and rocks.
- step 08
Refine the highlights and shadows throughout the painting to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · sap green · ultramarine blue
Mix ochre and umber for the cliffs. Use white to lighten values and create highlights. Mix blue with white for the sky and river reflections. Use sap green and ochre for the trees.
techniques
- ·dry brush
- ·layering
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color mixing
- ·blocking in
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, losing the muted tones of the original.
- →Not simplifying the complex forms of the landscape.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·sap green oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·round brushes
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a medium-textured canvas to help create the rough texture of the landscape. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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