plate no. 5437

The Little Falls Sketch

J. E. H. MacDonald, 1918

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)landscapewaterfallrockstreeswaterfoliagelandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impasto techniques and color mixing to create depth and texture. It also provides practice in capturing the movement of water with expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the waterfall, rocks, and surrounding foliage.
step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the sky, water, rocks, and trees using thin washes.
step 03
Begin applying thicker paint with visible brushstrokes to build texture and form.
step 04
Focus on the waterfall, using vertical strokes and varying shades of blue and white to create the illusion of movement.
step 05
Add details to the rocks and foliage, using a variety of colors and textures to create visual interest.
step 06
Refine the water surface with horizontal strokes and highlights to suggest reflections and ripples.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall depth and realism.
step 08
Step back and adjust colors and values as needed to achieve a harmonious composition.

color palette

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

secondary · viridian green · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix blues and whites for the waterfall, use yellow ochre and burnt sienna for rocks, and combine greens and yellows for foliage. Add small amounts of alizarin crimson to darken shadows.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·wet-on-wet blending
·scumbling
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overblending colors, which can flatten the image and lose the vibrancy of the brushstrokes.
→Neglecting the importance of value contrast, which can make the painting appear dull and lifeless.
→Getting bogged down in details too early, which can hinder the overall composition.
→Using too much medium, which can make the paint slippery and difficult to control.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, titanium white, viridian green, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·rags