plate no. 6971

Women Bathing in the Park at Terni

oilRomanticismlandscapetreeslandscapefigureswaterfoliagemountains

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering complex foliage with subtle color variations. It also provides practice in depicting the human figure in a natural setting.

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 trees, figures, and water.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or raw sienna.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: the sky, mountains, trees, ground, and water.
step 04
Begin layering the foliage, starting with the darkest greens and gradually adding lighter highlights.
step 05
Paint the figures, paying attention to the light and shadow on their bodies.
step 06
Add details to the trees, such as branches and leaves, using a variety of brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the reflections in the water, using soft, blended strokes.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to create depth and realism.

color palette

primary · sap green · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · raw sienna

Achieve the various greens by mixing sap green, yellow ochre, and burnt umber. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the darker shadows in the foliage. Mix titanium white with small amounts of cadmium red, yellow ochre, and burnt umber to create the skin tones.

techniques