plate no. 2746

Rocks at Mouthier

oil, canvasRealismlandscapelandscaperockstreeswaterskycliffs

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering paint to create depth and texture, as well as understanding how to mix and apply subtle color variations to represent natural forms.

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 cliffs, trees, and water.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light blue wash, blending towards the horizon.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the cliffs with a mid-tone brown, paying attention to the light and shadow areas.
step 04
Add the base color for the trees and foliage using a dark green mixture.
step 05
Layer in highlights and shadows on the cliffs to create form and texture, using lighter browns and creams for highlights and darker browns for shadows.
step 06
Develop the foliage by adding layers of green, yellow, and brown, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest leaves.
step 07
Paint the water with dark greens and browns, reflecting the surrounding landscape.
step 08
Add final details and refine the edges of the forms.

color palette

primary · raw umber · sap green · cerulean blue

secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white · burnt sienna

Mix greens by combining sap green with yellow ochre and raw umber. Create lighter tones by adding titanium white, and darker tones by adding burnt sienna or raw umber.

techniques