plate no. 4401

Cemetery, south of France

Rupert Bunny, 1920

oilImpressionismlandscapelandscapetreeshillsbuildingskycemetery

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. It's a good exercise in capturing the overall impression of a scene rather than focusing on minute details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes: horizon line, mountains, building, and tree placement.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light blue and yellow.
step 03
Establish the main color blocks for the hills and foreground using muted greens and yellows.
step 04
Add the darker greens and browns for the trees on the left and the foliage.
step 05
Paint the building with a light beige tone, adding shadows to define its form.
step 06
Develop the trees, adding branches and foliage with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the foreground with variations of greens and yellows, suggesting texture and detail.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to create depth and interest.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · titanium white · sap green · cadmium yellow

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten colors and create subtle variations in tone. Muted tones are achieved by mixing complementary colors.

techniques