plate no. 3308

Waterfall in the Bern Highlands

oil, canvasNeoclassicismlandscapewaterfallrockstreeslandscapefigurefoliage

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic textures of rocks and foliage, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to create depth in a landscape. It also requires careful observation of light and shadow to model forms convincingly.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes: waterfall, rocks, and figure.
step 02
Establish the basic value structure by blocking in the dark and light areas with thin washes.
step 03
Start with the background, gradually building up layers of color and detail, focusing on atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Work on the rocks, paying attention to the variations in color and texture. Use dry brushing to create rough surfaces.
step 05
Paint the waterfall, capturing the movement and translucency of the water with varying shades of white and blue.
step 06
Add the foliage, using a variety of greens and yellows to create depth and texture.
step 07
Refine the figure, paying attention to proportions and anatomical accuracy.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the realism and depth of the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow · raw sienna

Mix various shades of green by combining ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, and burnt umber. Achieve the cool tones of the waterfall by mixing titanium white with small amounts of ultramarine blue.

techniques

·glazing
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using too much detail in the background, which can flatten the image.
→Neglecting the subtle color variations in the rocks and foliage.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, sap green)
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette
·palette knife