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home·artworks·The Ruins of Rievaulx Abbey, Yorkshire
The Ruins of Rievaulx Abbey, Yorkshire by George Lambert

plate no. 3940

The Ruins of Rievaulx Abbey, Yorkshire

George Lambert, 1753

oilRococolandscapetreeslandscaperuinsskyfigureshills
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering techniques to create depth. It also provides practice in rendering foliage and architectural details.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, ruins, and horizon line.

  2. step 02

    Establish the sky with soft, blended colors, creating a warm, hazy atmosphere.

  3. step 03

    Block in the distant hills and ruins with muted tones, paying attention to atmospheric perspective.

  4. step 04

    Begin layering the foliage, starting with darker values in the shadows and gradually adding lighter highlights.

  5. step 05

    Add details to the trees, including branches and leaves, using a variety of brushstrokes.

  6. step 06

    Refine the figures and animals in the foreground, paying attention to their proportions and placement.

  7. step 07

    Add final highlights and details to the ruins and foliage to create depth and interest.

  8. step 08

    Glaze over areas to unify the colors and create a sense of harmony.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · sap green · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · raw sienna

Mix greens by blending yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and sap green. Achieve atmospheric perspective by adding white to colors for distant elements.

techniques

  • ·atmospheric perspective
  • ·layering
  • ·dry brushing
  • ·blending
  • ·glazing

common pitfalls

  • →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
  • →Overworking the details too early in the process.
  • →Ignoring atmospheric perspective and creating a flat image.
  • →Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in a garish appearance.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·titanium white oil paint
  • ·yellow ochre oil paint
  • ·burnt umber oil paint
  • ·sap green oil paint
  • ·round brushes (various sizes)
  • ·flat brushes (various sizes)
  • ·linseed oil

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·medium gloss
  • ·easel

Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider toning the canvas with a thin wash of burnt umber before beginning.

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oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
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