plate no. 9893
The Source at Ornans
Gustave Courbet, 1873
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering techniques to create depth. It also offers practice in rendering natural textures like foliage and rock formations.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
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 river, hills, and castle.
- step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of light blue and hints of white for clouds.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the hills, rocks, and river using a limited palette.
- step 04
Start layering darker tones to define the shadows and forms of the rocks and foliage.
- step 05
Add highlights to the foliage and rocks to create a sense of depth and texture.
- step 06
Refine the details of the castle ruins, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 07
Work on the reflections in the river, using horizontal brushstrokes to suggest movement.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values to create a cohesive and atmospheric landscape.
color palette
primary · viridian green · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
Mix greens by combining viridian green with yellow ochre and white. Use raw umber and burnt sienna to create earth tones for the rocks and shadows.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Using too much detail in the background, flattening the perspective.
- →Making the colors too saturated, losing the atmospheric effect.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints
- ·round brushes sizes 2, 4, 6
- ·flat brush size 8
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-tooth canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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