plate no. 0559

Church and Gardens Acolmán, Mexico

Arturo Souto, 1951

pastel, paperPost-Impressionismcityscapechurchbuildingtreesfiguresskygarden

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose, expressive brushwork and understanding of atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in simplifying complex architectural forms.

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 church, trees, and figures, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the sky with a mix of blues, grays, and browns, using broad strokes.
step 03
Establish the main light source and apply the base color for the church, paying attention to the shadows and highlights.
step 04
Add the trees, using a variety of greens, yellows, and browns to create texture and depth.
step 05
Paint the ground plane with warm yellows and browns, blending the colors to create a sense of distance.
step 06
Add the figures, simplifying their forms and focusing on their placement within the composition.
step 07
Refine the details of the church, such as the arches and windows, using a smaller brush.
step 08
Add final touches, such as highlights and shadows, to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · titanium white · raw umber · cadmium yellow

Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the warm tones of the building and ground. Use ultramarine blue and raw umber for the cooler tones of the sky and shadows. Add titanium white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques