plate no. 7686

Wasserfälle bei Tivoli

oilRomanticismlandscapewaterfallsbuildingstreeslandscapefiguresky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering the movement and texture of water. It also provides practice in creating depth and detail in a complex landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings, waterfalls, and foreground elements.
step 02
Establish the sky and distant hills with thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the landscape with broad strokes, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin to define the waterfalls, using white and light grays to suggest the flow of water.
step 05
Develop the foliage in the foreground with layers of greens, browns, and yellows, using broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Add details to the buildings and other architectural elements.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows throughout the painting, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 08
Add the figure in the foreground as a final detail.

color palette

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

secondary · sap green · raw sienna · ivory black

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and Prussian blue. Use burnt umber and white for earth tones. Achieve the misty effect by diluting the paint with medium.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·broken color
·dry brushing
·glazing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the foreground, which can flatten the image.
→Failing to create a sense of depth through proper value and color changes.
→Making the waterfalls appear static or unnatural.
→Using too much pure white, which can make the water look chalky.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, Prussian blue, sap green, raw sienna, ivory black)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags