plate no. 5705
The Water's Edge
William Hart, 1881
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as rendering reflections in water.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, water, and cows.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
- step 03
Block in the main color areas: the sky, foliage, water, and cows.
- step 04
Begin layering colors in the foliage, using a variety of warm tones to create depth and texture.
- step 05
Develop the reflections in the water, paying attention to the distortion and color variations.
- step 06
Add details to the trees and cows, refining their shapes and adding highlights and shadows.
- step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white
secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · raw umber
Mix various shades of brown and green by combining the primary colors with earth tones. Use white to create lighter values and tints.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·wet-on-wet blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Creating mud by overmixing colors.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the reflections.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·mahl stick
Use a high-quality canvas and artist-grade oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to speed up drying time and improve blending.
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