plate no. 4853

A Hilly Landscape in Auvergne

oil, canvasRealismlandscapemountainslandscapecloudsbuildingsgrasssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering techniques to create depth. Students will also practice rendering textures like grass, stone, and foliage with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the mountains, buildings, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky with light blue and white, blending softly for a hazy effect.
step 03
Block in the mountain masses with dark greens and browns, varying the values to suggest form.
step 04
Add details to the mountains, such as trees and rocky outcroppings, using smaller brushes.
step 05
Paint the grassy fields with a mix of greens and yellows, using broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Render the buildings with light grays and browns, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 07
Add the fence in the foreground, using dark browns and grays.
step 08
Refine details and add highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Yellow ochre · Burnt umber · Titanium white

secondary · Sap green · Raw sienna

Mix greens by combining Prussian blue and yellow ochre. Create earth tones by mixing burnt umber with yellow ochre and white. Achieve atmospheric perspective by lightening and desaturating colors as they recede into the distance.

techniques