plate no. 5904

The Valley of the Loue in Stormy Weather

oil, canvasRealismlandscapelandscapeskycliffstreeshillsfigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the mood of a landscape through color and brushwork. It also provides practice in rendering various textures, from the smooth cliffs to the foliage.

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 cliffs, hills, and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the dark values of the sky using a thin wash of dark blue and gray.
step 03
Block in the general colors of the landscape, starting with the distant hills and working forward.
step 04
Develop the cliffs, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and texture.
step 05
Add details to the trees and foliage, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Refine the foreground, adding details to the path and vegetation.
step 07
Add the figures in the foreground, keeping them simple and indistinct.
step 08
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · viridian

Mix various shades of gray for the sky by combining ultramarine blue, burnt umber, and white. Achieve the greens of the landscape by mixing yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and a touch of burnt umber. Use alizarin crimson to create muted reds and browns.

techniques