plate no. 3180

View of Mt. Lafayette, New Hampshire

oilLuminismlandscapemountainslaketreesskylandscapegrass

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and color mixing to create depth. It also provides practice in rendering realistic trees and foliage.

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 horizon line and the placement of the mountains, lake, and trees.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light blue wash, blending it softly towards the horizon.
step 03
Block in the distant mountains with muted greens and browns, using lighter values for areas further away.
step 04
Paint the darker tones of the forest and the reflections in the lake, paying attention to the subtle color variations.
step 05
Add details to the foreground, including the grass, rocks, and individual trees.
step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final details to the trees and foliage, using smaller brushes to create texture.
step 08
Glaze the painting with thin layers of color to unify the composition and enhance the atmospheric effects.

color palette

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

secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow · raw sienna

Mix muted greens by combining yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and a touch of burnt umber. Achieve atmospheric perspective by lightening colors with white and adding a touch of blue as they recede into the distance.

techniques