plate no. 0860

View of Tivoli: the Cascatelle and the 'Villa of Maecenas'

oilRococolandscapelandscapewaterfallbuildingsfigurestreescliffs

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering complex natural forms like rocks and foliage. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and distance.

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 major elements (cliffs, waterfall, buildings).
step 02
Establish the sky and distant landscape with thin washes of color, paying attention to atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Block in the major shapes of the cliffs and foliage with darker tones.
step 04
Begin to define the details of the rocks and trees, using a variety of brushstrokes.
step 05
Add the waterfall, using white and light gray to create the illusion of movement.
step 06
Paint the figures in the foreground, paying attention to their proportions and placement.
step 07
Refine the details of the buildings and other architectural elements.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · Prussian blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black

Mix various shades of green by combining Prussian blue, yellow ochre, and raw umber. Achieve atmospheric perspective by adding white to colors for distant elements.

techniques