plate no. 1627

The Black Lutschina

Ferdinand Hodler, 1905

oil, canvasRealismlandscaperivertreesrocksmountainsskyclouds

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 depict distance.

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 river, trees, and mountains.
step 02
Establish the sky with light blue and white, creating soft, puffy clouds.
step 03
Block in the distant mountains with muted blues and purples to create atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Lay in the base colors for the trees, using various shades of green and yellow.
step 05
Define the riverbed with a mix of greens, yellows, and browns, indicating the shallow areas.
step 06
Paint the rocks with a range of grays, browns, and blues, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 07
Add details to the trees, using short, broken brushstrokes to create the foliage.
step 08
Refine the water's surface with highlights and shadows to suggest movement and reflections.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · sap green · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow light

Mix greens by blending blues and yellows, and use white to lighten colors for highlights and atmospheric perspective. Create muted tones by mixing complementary colors.

techniques