plate no. 3108

Tennessee

oilTonalismlandscapelandscaperivertreesrocksskymountains

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and creating depth through subtle color and value changes. It also provides practice in rendering realistic textures of rocks, trees, and water.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the horizon line and major elements like the river and trees.
step 02
Establish the sky with broad, blended strokes, creating a sense of atmospheric perspective with lighter values towards the horizon.
step 03
Block in the distant mountains and hills, using muted colors and soft edges to suggest distance.
step 04
Paint the river, capturing the reflections and movement of the water with varying shades of blue, green, and gray.
step 05
Add the trees, focusing on their shapes and textures. Use darker colors for the shadows and lighter colors for the highlights.
step 06
Render the rocks in the foreground, paying attention to their details and textures. Use a variety of grays, browns, and greens.
step 07
Add the details of the foliage and undergrowth, using small brushstrokes and varying colors.
step 08
Refine the painting, adjusting the values and colors as needed to create a cohesive and atmospheric landscape.

color palette

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

secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow light · raw sienna · payne's gray

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and create muted tones by adding small amounts of complementary colors. Achieve atmospheric perspective by lightening and desaturating colors in the distance.

techniques