plate no. 2705

Royal Arches and Half Dome, Yosemite

oilRomanticismlandscapemountainstreesriverrocksskylandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering techniques to create depth and dimension. It will also improve their ability to capture the texture of rocks and foliage using varied brushstrokes.

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 mountains, river, and trees.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light blue wash, blending subtly.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the mountains, using a range of grays and browns.
step 04
Add details to the rock formations, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Paint the trees and foliage, layering different shades of green and brown to create depth.
step 06
Add the river, reflecting the colors of the sky and surrounding landscape.
step 07
Refine the details, such as the highlights on the rocks and the texture of the trees.
step 08
Add final touches and glazes to unify the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow · raw sienna

Mix various shades of gray for the mountains by combining ultramarine blue, burnt umber, and titanium white. Achieve the greens for the foliage by mixing ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow, and burnt umber.

techniques