plate no. 7566

Berkshire Landscape

Paul Nash, 1927

oilExpressionismlandscapelandscapetreehillsskyfields

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the landscape: the tree, hills, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of pale gray.
step 03
Apply a base layer of color to the hills, using a mix of greens and browns.
step 04
Add darker values to the hills to create depth and shadow.
step 05
Paint the tree trunk with a mix of grays and browns, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 06
Add details to the foreground, such as grass and small bushes, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, blending where necessary.
step 08
Add final highlights to the tree and hills to create a sense of light.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · sap green · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · payne's gray

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and sap green. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Add burnt umber to darken colors and create shadows.

techniques