plate no. 9075

Chalet in the Mountains

William H. Johnson, 1938

oilExpressionismlandscapehousesmountainsskytreeslandscapevillage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and explore expressive brushwork to convey texture and form. It also provides practice in color mixing and creating a sense of depth through color and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the houses, mountains, and trees, focusing on their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the sky, mountains, houses, and ground using simplified, flat tones.
step 03
Begin adding darker values to define the shadows and create depth within each element.
step 04
Introduce secondary colors and highlights to add dimension and visual interest.
step 05
Use bold, visible brushstrokes to build up texture and emphasize the expressive quality of the painting.
step 06
Refine the shapes and edges of the elements, paying attention to the relationships between them.
step 07
Add final details, such as windows, doors, and foliage, using smaller brushstrokes.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments to balance the colors and values.

color palette

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

secondary · sap green · cadmium red · violet

Mix various shades of blue for the sky and roofs, using white to lighten and violet to darken. Create earth tones by mixing burnt sienna with yellow ochre and white. Achieve greens by mixing blue and yellow.

techniques