plate no. 1247

Salisbury Cathedral from Lower Marsh Close

oil, canvasRomanticismlandscapecathedraltreesskygrasslandscapearchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering techniques to create depth. Students will also learn to mix subtle color variations to depict light and shadow in a landscape.

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 cathedral and the tree line.
step 02
Block in the sky with light gray and white, creating a sense of cloud cover.
step 03
Establish the base color of the grass field with a mix of green, brown, and yellow.
step 04
Begin layering the trees on the left, using darker greens and browns to create depth and shadow.
step 05
Paint the cathedral in the distance, paying attention to its delicate structure and subtle colors.
step 06
Add details to the foreground trees, including branches and leaves, using a variety of brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the grass field with highlights and shadows, adding texture and dimension.
step 08
Add final details to the sky and cathedral, adjusting values and colors as needed.

color palette

primary · sap green · raw umber · titanium white · cerulean blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow with touches of brown. Achieve atmospheric perspective by lightening and desaturating colors as they recede into the distance. Use white to create highlights and black to deepen shadows.

techniques