plate no. 5645

San Gabriel Canyon

oilImpressionismlandscapemountainstreesvalleyskylandscapecanyon

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and color mixing to create depth and distance. It also provides practice in rendering textures with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, valley, and sky, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the main perspective lines of the valley.
step 03
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and distant mountains.
step 04
Gradually add details to the mountains, using different values and colors to create depth and form.
step 05
Paint the valley floor, using a variety of greens and browns to represent the vegetation.
step 06
Add the trees and other details in the foreground, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values and colors as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of light and atmosphere.

color palette

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

secondary · viridian green · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix blues and whites for the sky and distant mountains, adding touches of yellow ochre for warmth. Use yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white for the sunlit mountain peaks. Mix greens from blue, yellow, and brown for the valley floor.

techniques