plate no. 9514
Woodland Waterfall
Tom Thomson, 1916
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand how to use broken color and visible brushstrokes to create texture and depth. It will also provide practice in simplifying complex natural scenes into basic shapes and values.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the waterfall, trees, and rocks.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color using thin washes, establishing the overall value structure.
- step 03
Begin adding thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes to define the forms and create texture.
- step 04
Focus on the waterfall, using vertical strokes and varying colors to suggest movement and light.
- step 05
Develop the foliage with short, broken strokes of orange, yellow, and green.
- step 06
Add details to the rocks, using dark browns and reds to create shadows and depth.
- step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows throughout the painting, paying attention to the direction of light.
- step 08
Add final touches and details, such as small red flowers and subtle color variations.
color palette
primary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue
secondary · cadmium red · sap green · raw umber
Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Create various browns by mixing burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, and raw umber. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·dry brush
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Creating mud by over-mixing colors on the palette.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early in the process.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·oil paints (burnt sienna, yellow ochre, titanium white, ultramarine blue, cadmium red, sap green, raw umber)
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grit canvas to enhance the texture of the brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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