plate no. 4714

Above the Village, Hewood

Lucien Pissarro, 1941

oilImpressionismlandscapelandscapetreeshillsvillageskyfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to depict distance. Students will also learn how to simplify complex forms into basic shapes and use brushstrokes to suggest detail.

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 trees, hills, and village.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-gray wash, allowing for subtle variations in tone.
step 03
Establish the dark masses of the trees and foliage with a mix of dark greens and browns.
step 04
Begin layering lighter greens and yellows on top of the dark masses to create highlights and texture.
step 05
Paint the distant hills with muted greens and blues to create atmospheric perspective.
step 06
Add details to the village, using small brushstrokes to suggest the forms of the buildings.
step 07
Refine the foreground with variations in green and brown, adding details such as grasses and foliage.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · sap green · yellow ochre · cerulean blue

secondary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium yellow light

Achieve the various greens by mixing yellow ochre and sap green with varying amounts of blue and white. Use burnt umber to darken greens and create shadows.

techniques