plate no. 0603

The fall in Silvaplana

Ferdinand Hodler, 1907

oil, canvasArt Nouveau (Modern)landscapemountainslakeskyreflectionlandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice color mixing to achieve subtle variations and learn how to depict reflections in water using simplified shapes and colors. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth through color and brushstroke variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the horizon line and the basic shapes of the mountains and their reflections.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, blending it into a pale yellow near the horizon.
step 03
Apply a base layer of color for the mountains, using orange, yellow, and green.
step 04
Paint the reflections in the water, mirroring the colors and shapes of the mountains but with a slightly blurred and distorted effect.
step 05
Add details to the mountains, such as shadows and highlights, using darker and lighter shades of the base colors.
step 06
Refine the reflections by adding subtle variations in color and tone.
step 07
Add a thin blue line to separate the water from the mountains.
step 08
Add small details like the clouds.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

secondary · viridian green · titanium white

Mix blue and white for the sky. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the mountains, adding green for foliage. Mix blue and green for the water, lightening with white.

techniques