plate no. 3379

Attica Landscape

Konstantinos Maleas, 1920

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapelandscapehillstreesroadskyfields

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex landscapes into basic shapes and forms. Students will also learn how to use brushstrokes to suggest form and movement.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line, the shape of the hill, and the placement of the trees and road.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light blue, allowing some of the canvas to show through.
step 03
Establish the basic color masses for the hill, fields, and road, using a limited palette of greens, yellows, and browns.
step 04
Begin layering colors to create depth and variation within each area, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and hue.
step 05
Add details to the trees, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest foliage.
step 06
Refine the road, adding highlights and shadows to create a sense of form and perspective.
step 07
Add details to the foreground, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes to create texture.
step 08
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, or value.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · cadmium yellow light

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten values and create subtle variations in color. Raw umber can be used to create shadows and add depth.

techniques