plate no. 5311

Tivoli Landscapes (1748) by Joseph Vernet

oilNeoclassicismlandscapelandscapewaterfallarchitecturefigurestreesrocks

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective, creating depth through layering, and rendering complex textures like rocks and foliage. It also provides practice in depicting figures within a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition, focusing on the placement of the major elements (waterfall, architecture, figures).
step 02
Establish the sky and distant background using thin washes of color, paying attention to atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the rocks and cliffs, using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 04
Start defining the waterfall, using white and light blues to capture the movement and texture of the water.
step 05
Add details to the architectural elements, focusing on accurate perspective and subtle variations in color and tone.
step 06
Paint the foliage, using a variety of greens and browns to create depth and texture.
step 07
Add the figures in the foreground, paying attention to their proportions and interaction with the environment.
step 08
Refine the details and highlights throughout the painting, adjusting values and colors as needed to create a cohesive and believable scene.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cerulean blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · sap green

Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth colors with white and small amounts of blue. Use glazes of burnt sienna and raw umber to create depth and shadows in the rocks and foliage.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·rendering textures
·figure drawing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong sense of atmospheric perspective.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in value and color within the rocks and foliage.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (raw umber, titanium white, cerulean blue, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, sap green)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags