plate no. 0279

Beauce Landscape

Maurice de Vlaminck, 1910

oil, canvasCubismcityscapebuildingslandscapeskytreescityscape

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice simplified forms and expressive brushwork. Students can learn to create depth using color and value, and to capture the essence of a scene with a limited 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 buildings, trees, and sky, focusing on the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of blue and white, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 03
Establish the main colors of the buildings, using a limited palette of ochre, red, and brown.
step 04
Add shadows to the buildings to create form and dimension.
step 05
Paint the trees with loose, expressive brushstrokes, using greens and blues.
step 06
Refine the details of the buildings and trees, adding highlights and shadows.
step 07
Blend edges to soften transitions and create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · sap green · raw umber

Mix blues and white for the sky, ochre and sienna for the buildings, and green with blue and yellow for the trees. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.

techniques

·blocking in
·dry brush
·scumbling
·color mixing
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushwork.
→Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
→Not paying attention to the values and creating a flat, uninteresting painting.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 12x16
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, titanium white, sap green, raw umber)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags