plate no. 2369

The Rapids, Yellowstone

oil, canvasImpressionismlandscapemountainswaterrapidsrockslandscapesnow

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in capturing movement and texture with visible brushstrokes and broken color. It also develops skills in creating atmospheric perspective and suggesting form with color temperature.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, water, and rocks, focusing on overall composition.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light blue and violet.
step 03
Establish the darkest values in the water and rocks with dark blues, browns, and greens.
step 04
Begin building up the snow-covered mountains with layers of white, light blue, and pink, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Add highlights to the water, suggesting the movement of the rapids with white and light blue.
step 06
Introduce warmer tones (yellows, oranges) to the rocks and foreground to create depth.
step 07
Refine the details and textures with smaller brushes, paying attention to the direction of the brushstrokes.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of light and form.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · viridian green

Mix various shades of blue and green for the water. Use white with small amounts of blue, pink, and yellow to create the snow. Mix browns and greens for the rocks.

techniques