plate no. 4399
Waterfall near Subiaco
Joseph Anton Koch, 1813
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmospheric perspective, as well as rendering realistic textures in natural elements like rocks and water.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the mountains, waterfall, and figures.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas: sky, mountains, water, and foreground foliage.
- step 03
Begin layering colors in the sky, creating soft transitions and cloud formations.
- step 04
Develop the mountains, using darker values for shadows and lighter values for highlights to create form.
- step 05
Paint the waterfall, capturing the movement and texture of the water with varying brushstrokes.
- step 06
Add details to the foreground foliage, using a variety of greens and browns to create depth and texture.
- step 07
Paint the figures, paying attention to their proportions and clothing details.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall realism and depth of the painting.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · cadmium red · sap green · raw sienna
Mix greens by combining ultramarine blue and yellow ochre. Create muted tones by adding a touch of burnt umber to other colors.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the foreground before establishing the background.
- →Creating too much contrast too early in the painting process.
- →Failing to blend colors smoothly, resulting in a choppy appearance.
- →Incorrect proportions of the figures
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·linseed oil
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer of paint to dry before applying the next.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
related artworks
Portrait of Sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon working at the bust of Voltaire
Marie-Gabrielle Capet
The Roman antiquities, t. 1, Plate XXXI. Temple of Antonius and Faustina.
Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Portrait of Louis d'Orleans
Franz Xaver Winterhalter
Rooftops in the shadows
Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes
The Schmadribach Falls
Joseph Anton Koch
A Scene from 'As You Like It' by William Shakespeare
William Hamilton
Portrait of Klementyna Ostrowska Née Sanguszko
Vincenzo Camuccini
Self-Portrait
Anton Raphael Mengs