plate no. 8502
The Lookout Green and Orange Cliffs, Gloucester
John French Sloan, 1917
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in water and sky, as well as layering techniques to create depth and texture in the landscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, dividing the canvas into sky, water, and land.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a gradient of yellow and orange, blending smoothly.
- step 03
Establish the dark masses of the distant trees and cliffs.
- step 04
Mix a range of greens and browns for the foreground cliffs, varying the values.
- step 05
Add highlights to the cliffs using lighter yellows and greens, suggesting sunlight.
- step 06
Paint the water with horizontal strokes, blending grays and browns to create depth.
- step 07
Add subtle reflections and highlights to the water surface.
- step 08
Refine details and adjust values to create a sense of atmosphere.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · viridian green · cadmium orange
Mix yellow ochre and white for the sky; burnt umber and viridian green for the dark greens; white, yellow ochre, and a touch of green for the highlights on the cliffs.
techniques
- ·color blending
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Creating too much contrast in the water, making it appear flat.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the sky.
- →Failing to establish a clear light source.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·viridian green oil paint
- ·cadmium orange oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-tooth canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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