plate no. 4583
The Mystic Wood
John William Waterhouse, 1917
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering, glazing, and creating atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering figures and animals in a dynamic composition.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures, deer, and trees.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or raw sienna.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the background, focusing on the dark tones of the forest.
- step 04
Begin layering in the colors of the figures, starting with the underpainting and gradually adding details.
- step 05
Paint the deer, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
- step 06
Add details to the trees and foliage, using dry brush techniques to create texture.
- step 07
Glaze over the painting with thin layers of color to unify the composition and create depth.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to the figures and deer.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · viridian green
Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with small amounts of blues and reds. Use glazes of transparent colors to create depth and luminosity.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·dry brush
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →overworking details too early
- →creating muddy colors
- →failing to establish a strong value structure
- →ignoring atmospheric perspective
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·linseed oil
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
- ·mahl stick
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-sized canvas (18x24 or 20x24) is recommended.
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