plate no. 2559

Autumn Hills

Prudence Heward, 1941

oilExpressionismlandscapelandscapetreeshillsskyautumnfence

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and using visible brushstrokes to add texture and energy to the landscape. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

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 hills, trees, and fence, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-gray wash.
step 03
Establish the base colors for the hills, using variations of green and brown.
step 04
Paint the tree masses, focusing on the warm autumn colors like reds, oranges, and yellows.
step 05
Add darker shadows to the trees and hills to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Paint the fence in the foreground with light gray and white, adding subtle shadows.
step 07
Refine the details of the trees and hills, adding texture with visible brushstrokes.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a harmonious balance.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · sap green · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · raw umber

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and sap green with small amounts of blue. Achieve autumn colors by blending reds, oranges, and yellows with browns. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques