plate no. 9244

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

oilRomanticismlandscapecanyonmountainstreeswaterfallskybirds

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering techniques to create depth. Students will also learn how to represent complex geological formations with simplified brushstrokes and color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the canyon walls and the horizon line, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber and raw sienna.
step 03
Block in the major color areas of the sky, distant mountains, and canyon walls.
step 04
Begin layering in details on the canyon walls, using a variety of warm and cool tones to create depth and texture.
step 05
Add the waterfall and mist, using light, airy brushstrokes.
step 06
Paint the trees and foliage in the foreground, focusing on capturing the texture and form of the leaves and branches.
step 07
Add the birds in the sky for scale and interest.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of atmospheric perspective.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow

Mix various shades of browns and yellows with white to create the canyon walls. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky and distant mountains. Add touches of cadmium yellow to the highlights on the rocks and foliage.

techniques

·layering
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
→Failing to create enough contrast between the light and shadow areas.
→Making the colors too saturated and unrealistic.
→Ignoring the principles of perspective and creating a flat, unconvincing composition.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·burnt umber oil paint
·raw sienna oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·ultramarine blue oil paint
·yellow ochre oil paint
·round brushes sizes 2, 4, 6
·linseed oil

optional

·palette knife
·medium gloss
·turpentine

Use a medium-textured canvas to help create the rough texture of the canyon walls. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.

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