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home·artworks·View of Wolfratshausen
View of Wolfratshausen by Carl von Bergen

plate no. 7278

View of Wolfratshausen

Carl von Bergen

oil, canvasAcademicismlandscaperivertreesbuildingsmountainslandscapebridge
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering techniques to create depth. It also provides practice in rendering reflections and depicting various textures in nature.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the river, mountains, and major landmarks.

  2. step 02

    Establish the sky with a thin wash of light blue and yellow, blending for a soft, atmospheric effect.

  3. step 03

    Block in the distant mountains with muted blues and grays, using lighter values for the higher peaks to suggest distance.

  4. step 04

    Paint the river with varying shades of gray and blue, capturing the reflections of the sky and surrounding landscape.

  5. step 05

    Add the trees and foliage, using a mix of greens, yellows, and browns to create depth and texture.

  6. step 06

    Paint the buildings and structures, paying attention to their form and placement within the landscape.

  7. step 07

    Refine the details, such as the bridge, rooftops, and individual leaves, using smaller brushes.

  8. step 08

    Add highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of light and form, and adjust colors as needed to achieve a harmonious balance.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium yellow · raw sienna · ivory black

Mix blues and browns with white to create the muted tones of the distant mountains. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber to create various shades of green for the foliage. Mix white with small amounts of blue and yellow to achieve the sky color.

techniques

  • ·layering
  • ·atmospheric perspective
  • ·dry brushing
  • ·blending
  • ·scumbling

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the details too early in the process.
  • →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
  • →Using colors that are too saturated, which can flatten the image.
  • →Ignoring the effects of atmospheric perspective.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas 12x16
  • ·oil paints (ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium yellow, raw sienna, ivory black)
  • ·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
  • ·palette
  • ·palette knife
  • ·linseed oil
  • ·odorless mineral spirits
  • ·rags

optional

  • ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
  • ·easel
  • ·varnish

Use a medium-tooth canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.

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oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
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