plate no. 1720

A Vallon Landscape

Felix Vallotton, 1923

oil, canvasMagic Realismlandscapehousetreeslandscapepathwallvegetation

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in rendering simple forms and understanding atmospheric perspective. Students can develop skills in color mixing to create muted tones and capturing the texture of stone and foliage.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the house, path, and surrounding landscape, focusing on proportions and perspective.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: the sky, the house walls, the path, and the foliage.
step 03
Begin refining the colors of the house, adding subtle variations in tone and shadow.
step 04
Develop the path with layers of color, creating a sense of depth and texture.
step 05
Add details to the foliage, using different brushstrokes to suggest leaves and branches.
step 06
Paint the walls and other architectural elements, paying attention to their texture and form.
step 07
Add the small details like the windows, doors, and the rope fence.
step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed to create a cohesive and harmonious image.

color palette

primary · gray · ochre · green · cream

secondary · blue · brown · orange

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors (e.g., a touch of orange in the green). Use white to lighten colors and create subtle variations in value.

techniques