plate no. 5476

River Scene

Frank W. Benson, 1921

oilRealismlandscapelandscaperivertreesfieldskyfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing for natural light and shadow, as well as layering brushstrokes to create texture and depth in foliage and grass.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the river, trees, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of light blue-gray.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the trees and field with broad strokes, using darker greens for the trees and lighter yellows and greens for the field.
step 04
Define the shadows cast by the trees across the field, using a mix of dark greens and blues.
step 05
Add details to the trees, varying the greens and blues to create depth and texture.
step 06
Paint the river, using light blues, grays, and whites to capture the reflections of the sky and surrounding landscape.
step 07
Add highlights to the grass and foliage to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a cohesive and realistic landscape.

color palette

primary · viridian green · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium yellow

Mix greens by combining viridian green and yellow ochre, adjusting the ratio for lighter or darker shades. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create neutral grays for shadows and the sky. Add titanium white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·wet-on-dry layering
·color mixing
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and unnatural appearance.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in color and value, leading to a flat and lifeless painting.
→Ignoring the effects of light and shadow, resulting in a lack of depth and dimension.
→Using too much paint, which can obscure the texture of the canvas.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 12x16
·oil paints: viridian green, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, titanium white, burnt umber, cadmium yellow
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·selection of round and flat brushes
·rags