plate no. 6066

Stream in the Jura Mountains

oilRealismlandscapemountainsstreamtreesrocksfoliagesky

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 represent distance. Students will also learn to simplify complex natural forms into basic shapes and values.

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, stream, and major tree masses.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light blue wash, adding soft white clouds.
step 03
Block in the dark values of the mountains and trees, using a mix of dark greens and browns.
step 04
Add the mid-tones to the grassy areas and the sunlit parts of the rocks.
step 05
Begin defining the details of the rocks and foliage, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Paint the stream, capturing the reflections and the movement of the water.
step 07
Add highlights to the rocks and foliage to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Yellow Ochre · Burnt Umber · Titanium White

secondary · Cadmium Yellow · Alizarin Crimson · Sap Green

Mix greens by combining Prussian Blue and Yellow Ochre, adjust with white for lighter tones. Create earthy browns by mixing Burnt Umber with Prussian Blue and a touch of Alizarin Crimson. Achieve the rock colors by layering whites, ochres, and umbers.

techniques

·Layering
·Dry brushing
·Scumbling
·Atmospheric perspective
·Broken color

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, losing the overall impression.
→Creating too much contrast, making the painting look harsh.
→Ignoring the atmospheric perspective, flattening the depth.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, resulting in unnatural hues.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints (Prussian Blue, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Umber, Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow, Alizarin Crimson, Sap Green)
·Round brushes (#2, #4, #6)
·Flat brushes (#6, #8)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife