plate no. 7778

Cerro al Volturno, Abruzzi (January 1930)

M.C. Escher, 1930

woodcutExpressionismlandscapebuildingslandscapevillagemountainskyarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this woodcut-style image will help students understand value relationships and develop control over line work to create form and texture. It's a great exercise in simplifying complex scenes into distinct areas of light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the main shapes and composition.
step 02
Divide the image into distinct areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Begin filling in the darkest areas with solid black, using vertical lines.
step 04
Use varying line thickness and density to create different shades of gray.
step 05
Pay close attention to the direction of the lines to suggest form and texture.
step 06
Work from the background to the foreground, layering lines to build depth.
step 07
Add details such as windows, roofs, and foliage with careful line placement.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and adjust values as needed.