plate no. 2855
The valley of Bièvre near Paris
Theodore Rousseau, 1831
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering colors to create depth. It also provides practice in capturing the texture of fields and foliage with visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, dividing the canvas into sky, hills, and foreground.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light blue and white, blending softly.
- step 03
Establish the distant hills with muted greens and blues, using thin washes.
- step 04
Paint the line of trees, varying the darkness and shapes of individual trees.
- step 05
Block in the foreground fields with a base of brown and yellow ochre.
- step 06
Add details to the fields with darker and lighter values, suggesting texture and undulation.
- step 07
Add highlights to the clouds and fields to create a sense of light.
- step 08
Refine details and adjust values to create a cohesive and atmospheric landscape.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · sap green · raw sienna
Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Create muted tones by adding a touch of burnt umber to your mixtures.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the foreground, losing the sense of depth.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, making the painting look unnatural.
- →Failing to create a clear sense of light and shadow.
- →Not blending the sky colors smoothly enough.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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