plate no. 1268

The Old Mount Vernon

oilRealismlandscapebuildingtreeslandscapeskyfiguresgrass

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering form with subtle value changes. It also provides practice in depicting architectural details and foliage.

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 buildings, trees, and horizon line, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the sky with a mix of yellow ochre, white, and a touch of burnt sienna, blending to create soft transitions.
step 04
Add the darker tones of the trees and foliage, using a mix of greens, browns, and blues.
step 05
Paint the buildings, starting with the base color and then adding highlights and shadows.
step 06
Refine the details of the architecture, such as windows, columns, and the roof.
step 07
Add the figures and other small details to bring the scene to life.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · sap green · ultramarine blue · cadmium red

Achieve the muted greens by mixing yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and a touch of burnt umber. Create the warm sky tones by blending yellow ochre, white, and small amounts of burnt sienna.

techniques