plate no. 1583

View from a Mountaintop

Robert Lewis Reid, 1920

oilImpressionismlandscapemountainstreeslandscaperocksskyvista

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in broken color techniques and understanding how light affects form in a landscape. It also provides practice in creating depth through atmospheric perspective and color temperature changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the rock formations and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in large areas of color, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 03
Begin adding details to the rock formations, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and form.
step 04
Develop the foliage by layering different shades of green and yellow, using a stippling technique to create a sense of depth.
step 05
Work on the distant landscape, using lighter and cooler colors to create atmospheric perspective.
step 06
Refine the details of the foreground, adding highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.
step 07
Add final touches and adjustments to the overall composition, ensuring that the colors and values are balanced.
step 08
Let the painting dry and then apply a varnish to protect the surface.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix greens by combining ultramarine blue and cadmium yellow. Achieve the subtle variations in the rocks by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white with small amounts of blue or crimson. Create atmospheric perspective by lightening and cooling colors as they recede into the distance.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·dry brush
·atmospheric perspective
·color temperature

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Neglecting the importance of light and shadow.
→Failing to create a sense of depth.
→Getting lost in details too early in the process.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, titanium white, burnt sienna, sap green, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags