plate no. 3543

The Little Falls

J. E. H. MacDonald, 1919

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)landscapewaterfallrocksrivertreeslandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding how to depict the movement of water using brushstrokes.

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 waterfall, rocks, and river.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color using thin washes, starting with the darkest values.
step 03
Begin layering thicker paint to define the shapes of the rocks and trees.
step 04
Add highlights to the waterfall and rocks to create a sense of light and form.
step 05
Use short, broken brushstrokes to depict the movement of the water in the river.
step 06
Mix and apply colors for the foliage, varying hues to suggest depth.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a cohesive and dynamic composition.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · cadmium red · violet

Mix burnt umber and ultramarine blue for dark shadows. Use yellow ochre and cadmium yellow for highlights on the rocks and foliage. Mix violet with white for the waterfall highlights.

techniques