plate no. 8141

Valley and Stream, Oesa Trail, Lake O'Hara

J. E. H. MacDonald, 1930

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)landscapemountainsvalleystreamlandscapetrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in blocking in shapes with simplified values and using visible brushstrokes to create texture and form. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve naturalistic tones.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains and valley, focusing on proportions and overall composition.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color using simplified values, separating the light and shadow areas.
step 03
Refine the shapes of the mountains and the stream, adding more detail to the rock formations.
step 04
Mix and apply the various shades of green to represent the vegetation in the valley.
step 05
Add details to the stream, using lighter colors to indicate the flow of water.
step 06
Use visible brushstrokes to create texture and form in the mountains and vegetation.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors as needed to create a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · viridian green

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Mix raw umber and white for the light areas of the mountains, adding touches of yellow ochre for warmth. Use viridian green and raw umber for the greens, adjusting the ratio for different shades. Mix ultramarine blue with raw umber and white for the cooler shadows.

techniques