plate no. 1470

Roan Mountain

oilImpressionismlandscapelandscapetreesfieldmountainscowssky

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 to depict distance.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition: horizon line, mountain, tree masses, and field.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light blue wash, blending towards the horizon.
step 03
Block in the mountain with muted greens and blues, using lighter values for the distant peaks.
step 04
Paint the tree masses with varying shades of green, brown, and yellow, using broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Establish the field with a base layer of green, then add highlights and shadows with yellow, brown, and darker greens.
step 06
Add details to the foreground, such as grasses and shadows, using smaller brushstrokes.
step 07
Paint the cows with small touches of white, brown, and black.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · sap green · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, and create muted tones by adding small amounts of burnt umber or alizarin crimson. Achieve atmospheric perspective by lightening and cooling colors as they recede into the distance.

techniques