plate no. 1745
The River
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to depict distance.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the river, rocks, foliage, and building.
- step 02
Block in the sky and water with thin washes of color.
- step 03
Establish the dark values of the rocks and shadows in the foliage.
- step 04
Begin layering greens and browns to create the texture of the foliage, using varied brushstrokes.
- step 05
Add details to the building, paying attention to its form and light.
- step 06
Refine the water, adding highlights and reflections.
- step 07
Add final details to the rocks and foliage, such as highlights and small branches.
- step 08
Adjust values and colors as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · viridian green · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
Mix greens by combining viridian green with yellow ochre or burnt umber. Create variations in the greens by adding small amounts of blue or white. Use burnt umber and white to create the tones for the rocks.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·scumbling
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the foliage, resulting in a flat appearance.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth by not varying the colors and values.
- →Making the water too uniform and lacking in reflections.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the rocks.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits or turpentine (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly due to their faster drying time.
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