plate no. 4664
The Ornans Paper Mill
Gustave Courbet, 1865
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in capturing the subtle reflections in the water. It also provides practice in depicting complex structures with loose, expressive brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the watermill, building, and surrounding landscape.
- step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a thin wash of burnt umber or raw sienna.
- step 03
Block in the sky with light blues and grays, blending softly.
- step 04
Begin layering colors in the background trees and foliage, using a variety of greens, browns, and yellows.
- step 05
Develop the watermill structure, paying attention to the angles and details of the wood.
- step 06
Paint the water, capturing the reflections of the surrounding objects with horizontal brushstrokes.
- step 07
Add highlights and details to the building, using thicker paint and brighter colors.
- step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and adding final touches to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · Prussian blue · titanium white
secondary · raw sienna · cadmium yellow · sap green · alizarin crimson
Mix greens by combining Prussian blue and cadmium yellow. Achieve earthy tones by mixing burnt umber with yellow ochre and white. Use alizarin crimson to create warm browns and reds.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and unnatural appearance.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure, leading to a flat and muddy painting.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the landscape.
- →Not capturing the reflections in the water accurately.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·oil paints
- ·round brushes (#2, #6, #8)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
- ·mahl stick
Use a medium-grit canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
