plate no. 2209

The Riviera (left Panel)

Charles E. Burchfield, 1926

oilNew Realismlandscapegardentreesarchitectureskyflowerslandscape

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

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, pergola, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and grays, creating soft cloud shapes.
step 03
Establish the base colors for the landscape: greens for the grass and foliage, browns for the tree trunks and pergola.
step 04
Layer in darker and lighter values to create form and depth in the trees and foliage.
step 05
Add details to the pergola, including the columns and climbing vines.
step 06
Paint the flowers in the foreground, using a variety of pinks, yellows, and greens.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · sap green · sky blue · raw umber

secondary · cadmium yellow · rose madder · titanium white

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and adjust the hue with browns or reds. Achieve lighter values by adding white, and darker values by adding burnt umber or black.

techniques

·layering
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·color mixing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
→Not paying attention to the relative sizes and proportions of the elements in the composition.