plate no. 7924
The Shores of Rydal Water, Cumbria
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmospheric perspective, as well as rendering realistic textures using varied brushstrokes.
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, focusing on the placement of the trees, shoreline, and water.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of grey and beige tones.
- step 03
Establish the dark masses of the distant trees and the reflections in the water.
- step 04
Paint the main trees, focusing on their form and the light hitting their trunks.
- step 05
Add the details of the foliage, using a variety of greens, browns, and yellows.
- step 06
Paint the foreground grass and reeds, using dry brush techniques to create texture.
- step 07
Add the figures in the boat, keeping them small and indistinct.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · sap green · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue
Mix various shades of green by combining yellow ochre, sap green, and ultramarine blue. Use raw umber and titanium white to create the grey tones for the sky and water. Add small amounts of burnt sienna to warm up the greens and browns.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color mixing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Using too much pure color and not enough muted tones.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth by not varying the values and colors.
- →Making the foreground too detailed and distracting from the focal point.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·sap green oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-grit canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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