plate no. 5565

The Waterfalls, Pistil Mawddach, North Wales 1836

oilRomanticismlandscapewaterfalltreesrocksfigureslandscapewater

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 the texture of foliage and rocks.

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 waterfall, trees, and figures.
step 02
Establish the sky and distant mountain with thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the trees and rocks, using darker values for shadows.
step 04
Begin layering colors to build up the texture of the foliage and rocks.
step 05
Add details to the waterfall, using light, broken brushstrokes to suggest movement.
step 06
Paint the figures in the foreground, paying attention to their proportions and placement.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final touches and glazes to unify the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · cadmium yellow light · ivory black

Mix greens by blending yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Create various shades of brown by mixing burnt umber with small amounts of blue, yellow, or white. Use white to lighten colors for highlights and atmospheric perspective.

techniques