plate no. 0649

The Aarekanal near Thun

oil, canvasRealismlandscaperivertreesskyreflectionboatlandscape

some experience helpful

This painting offers a good opportunity to practice capturing reflections in water and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. Students can also learn to simplify complex foliage into manageable shapes and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the river, trees, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, blending it softly towards the horizon.
step 03
Establish the dark masses of the large tree on the right and the distant trees on the left.
step 04
Begin adding the mid-tone greens and yellows to the foliage, varying the colors slightly to create visual interest.
step 05
Paint the reflections in the water, using slightly desaturated versions of the colors above.
step 06
Add details to the boat and figures, keeping them simple and suggestive.
step 07
Refine the edges of the trees and foliage, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add final touches to the sky and water, adjusting the values and colors as needed.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · sap green · burnt umber

secondary · titanium white · cadmium yellow · raw sienna

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and cerulean blue. Use burnt umber and white to create darker shades for shadows. Lighten colors with titanium white.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·broken color
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·reflection

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the foliage, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
→Making the reflections too perfect and symmetrical, which can look unnatural.
→Failing to create enough contrast between the light and dark areas, resulting in a muddy painting.
→Not simplifying the shapes of the trees and foliage, leading to a cluttered composition.