plate no. 1098
View on the River Var
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to depict distance.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, river, and distant mountains.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light blue, allowing some white to show through for clouds.
- step 03
Establish the general color and value of the distant mountains, using a muted blue-purple.
- step 04
Paint the background field with a mix of yellow, green, and brown, varying the tones to create depth.
- step 05
Begin layering colors on the trees, using a mix of greens, browns, and yellows, paying attention to light and shadow.
- step 06
Paint the river with reflections of the sky and surrounding foliage, using horizontal brushstrokes.
- step 07
Add details to the foreground, including grasses, rocks, and shadows, using a variety of brushstrokes.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson
Mix blues and browns for the distant mountains. Create various greens by mixing blues and yellows. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·broken color
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
- →Creating too much contrast and flattening the image.
- →Not paying attention to the values and creating a muddy effect.
- →Ignoring atmospheric perspective, which will flatten the landscape.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 8)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g. Liquin)
- ·easel
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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