plate no. 8382

River Open Spaces

Victor Zaretsky, 1978

oilRealismlandscaperivergrassskybuildingscloudsshore

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing color mixing to achieve subtle variations in the sky and water, as well as learning to suggest detail with loose brushstrokes in the foreground.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the horizon line and placement of the buildings.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, gradually adding subtle variations in tone and color.
step 03
Establish the water with a base of muted blue-purple, then add horizontal strokes to suggest ripples and reflections.
step 04
Paint the distant shore with a hazy, indistinct quality.
step 05
Block in the foreground grass with varying shades of green and yellow.
step 06
Add details to the buildings, keeping them simple and slightly blurred.
step 07
Use small brushstrokes to add highlights and shadows to the grass and water.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the overall color balance.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix blues and whites with small amounts of yellow ochre and burnt umber to create the muted tones of the sky and water. Use cadmium yellow and alizarin crimson to create the greens and oranges in the foreground.

techniques