plate no. 5874

A view of Blaricum

Gustave de Smet, 1917

oilExpressionismlandscapelandscapevillagefieldsskycloudschurch

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using expressive brushstrokes to convey texture and mood. It also encourages experimentation with color mixing to achieve a harmonious yet slightly muted palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the landscape, including the fields, village, and sky.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, establishing the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin adding thicker paint layers, focusing on capturing the texture of the fields and clouds with visible brushstrokes.
step 04
Mix and apply the colors for the village buildings and church, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 05
Refine the sky and clouds, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Add details to the foreground fields, such as subtle variations in color and texture.
step 07
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments to the composition, color balance, or brushwork.
step 08
Allow to dry and varnish.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · titanium white · cadmium red · sap green

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors (e.g., blue and orange) with white. Use yellow ochre as a base for the fields, adding touches of green and brown. Mix blues and browns with white for the sky and clouds.

techniques