plate no. 5074

Test drive over the Alps

Willy Schlobach, 1924

oilImpressionismlandscapemountainswaterairshipskylandscapereflection

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors to create atmospheric perspective and capturing reflections in water with broken brushstrokes. It also provides an opportunity to study the form of an airship and integrate it into a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, mountains, airship, and water.
step 02
Block in the sky with light washes of yellow, orange, and pink, blending the colors softly.
step 03
Paint the distant mountains with muted blues and purples, gradually increasing the color intensity as you move towards the foreground.
step 04
Add highlights to the mountain peaks using a dry brush technique with light yellow and white.
step 05
Paint the airship with a base coat of light beige, then add shadows with purple and brown.
step 06
Create the water reflections using broken brushstrokes of the same colors as the mountains and sky.
step 07
Add small highlights to the water to simulate the sparkle of light.
step 08
Refine details and adjust values as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · alizarin crimson · sap green

Mix muted blues and purples for the mountains by combining ultramarine blue with burnt umber and alizarin crimson. Achieve the sky colors by blending yellow ochre, titanium white, and small amounts of alizarin crimson.

techniques

·dry brush
·broken color
·atmospheric perspective
·layering
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, which can result in a muddy appearance.
→Making the airship too detailed, which can distract from the overall composition.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the water reflections.
→Failing to create a sense of depth in the mountains.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brushes (various sizes)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
·odorless mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)

optional

·medium gloss
·easel
·rags

Use a medium-grain canvas to allow for good paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing and create a more harmonious painting.

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