plate no. 2186
Towpath near The Hague
Johan Jongkind, 1859
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the subtle color variations in a cloudy sky. It also provides practice in rendering figures in a landscape setting.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, windmill, figures, and water.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light blue and white, blending the colors to create soft clouds.
- step 03
Establish the values of the landscape, focusing on the foreground, middle ground, and background.
- step 04
Paint the windmill, paying attention to its structure and texture.
- step 05
Add the figures, simplifying their forms and focusing on their placement within the scene.
- step 06
Refine the details of the landscape, including the foliage, water, and path.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall effect.
color palette
primary · sky blue · titanium white · raw umber
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · sap green
Mix sky blue and white for the sky, adding a touch of raw umber for the darker areas. Use raw umber, yellow ochre, and burnt sienna for the landscape, mixing in sap green for the foliage.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
- →Creating too much contrast and flattening the image.
- →Neglecting the atmospheric perspective and failing to create a sense of depth.
- →Using colors that are too saturated and unnatural.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·painting knife
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette of colors to simplify the mixing process.
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