plate no. 5223

Alps. Annecy

Zinaida Serebriakova, 1933

oilExpressionismlandscapemountainslandscapetreesbuildingsfieldssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and color mixing to create depth. It will also improve their ability to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, hills, and buildings, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish a light wash of diluted color for the sky and distant mountains, creating atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Block in the larger areas of color for the fields and trees, using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 04
Add details to the buildings and trees, varying the brushstrokes to create texture and interest.
step 05
Develop the foreground with more detail, including the trees, bushes, and fields.
step 06
Refine the values and colors throughout the painting, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 07
Add final details, such as small figures or animals, to create a sense of scale and life.
step 08
Glaze with thin washes to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

Mix greens by blending yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Create muted tones by mixing complementary colors. Use white to lighten values and create atmospheric perspective.

techniques