plate no. 2043
Thunersee mit Niesen
Cuno Amiet, 1931
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, lake, and foreground elements.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light gray and hints of yellow.
- step 03
Establish the base color of the mountain, using a mix of blues, grays, and whites.
- step 04
Add darker values to the mountain to define its form and create shadows.
- step 05
Paint the lake with a pale green-gray, adding subtle variations in tone.
- step 06
Define the shoreline with a band of blue-green and hints of yellow.
- step 07
Add the details in the water with small, dark strokes.
- step 08
Refine the foreground elements, paying attention to color and value.
color palette
primary · gray · blue · white · green
secondary · yellow · red
Achieve the mountain's color by mixing blue, gray, and white. Use yellow to warm the sky and shoreline. Add small amounts of red to the foreground.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·color mixing
- ·scumbling
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
- →Making the colors too saturated.
- →Not establishing a clear value structure.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the water and sky.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Round brushes
- ·Flat brushes
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water
- ·Linseed oil or acrylic medium
optional
- ·easel
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-sized canvas to allow for sufficient detail. Acrylics will dry faster, while oils allow for more blending time.
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