In this chapter, we embark on a creative journey with 'The River Bend,' a delightful scene from the Rangiteiki River in New Zealand, captured in a 10x14" oil painting. We'll explore the process of transforming a simple photograph into a captivating piece of art, using both traditional techniques and the innovative assistance of AI. Starting with a triple-primed MDF board, I'll guide you through selecting and emphasizing the elements you love most in the scene—perhaps the play of dappled light through the trees or the serene curve of the river. We'll consider the shape and size of your canvas, making necessary adjustments to the composition to ensure harmony and focus. As we paint, we'll delve into the joys of alla prima, working wet-on-wet to maintain freshness and spontaneity. You'll learn to balance detail and simplicity, using a range of techniques to bring the scene to life. Whether you choose to incorporate AI in your process or not, this chapter is about finding joy in painting and letting curiosity lead you to new artistic paths. Together, we'll create a beautiful painting that captures the essence of this tranquil river bend, step by step.
This guide accompanies the full video lesson. The lesson includes the complete narrated video, the printable PDF chapter, and personalised critique support.
'The River Bend" 10x1" Oil on Board by Richard Robinson
Step 9Sky and Light Effects
Reflect Darker Tones
Paint reflections in the water slightly darker than the actual subjects being reflected. This creates a more realistic effect as reflections often appear darker.
Add Punchy Green Reflections
Introduce a lighter, punchier green to reflect the color of the water. Ensure the strokes are horizontal and vertical to maintain the reflective quality.
Incorporate Blue Reflections
Add a touch of blue to the reflections, similar to the top of the hill. Use vertical strokes and add light dashes across the surface to enhance the reflection.
Reflect the Sky
Paint the reflection of the sky with lighter and bluer tones. Fill in the area without touching adjacent areas, then adjust the edges for a clean transition.
Maintain Clean Brushwork
Keep your brush clean when painting light into dark areas to avoid muddy colors. Clean off any dark paint collected on the brush before continuing.
Adjust Paint Thickness
As you move from dark to light, increase the thickness of the paint. Use thin paint for dark areas and thicker paint for lighter areas, allowing the paint to sit on the canvas without flattening.
Pro tipKeep your brush clean when transitioning from light to dark areas to maintain vibrant colors.
Embark on your painting journey by thoroughly analyzing the scene you wish to capture. Identify and emphasize the elements that draw your attention, ensuring they become the focal point of your composition. Adjust the composition to fit your canvas size, and modify any awkward elements to create a harmonious scene. Use digital sketching to refine your design, focusing on interesting shapes and cohesive elements.
Utilize AI tools to generate a reference image that aligns with your vision, and begin blocking in your sketch with your chosen medium. Establish the horizon line and main elements with precision, using straight lines to shape curves for easier management. As you paint the background, mix ample paint to maintain color consistency and build texture, considering atmospheric perspective to create depth.
Incorporate reflections and atmospheric perspective by using varied brush strokes and color mixes. Pay attention to the interplay of light and shadow, ensuring reflections are slightly darker for realism. As you add details to the foreground and tree trunk, use a large brush with varied strokes to create natural textures and avoid uniformity. Finally, enhance the scene with foliage and tree details, using half tones to create a glowing effect and bring your painting to life.
Points to remember
Choose the elements you love most and make them the focal point.
Ensure the tree trunk has character by adding curves.
Experiment with different settings in the AI generator.
Use straight lines to shape curves for easier management.
Mix more paint than you think you'll need for consistency.
Leave spots of the darkest green visible to suggest shadows.
Keep your brush clean when transitioning from light to dark.
Use varied brush strokes to create natural textures and depth.
