plate no. 9242

Church of Les Houches, Haute-Savoie, France

Clarence Gagnon, 1926

oilImpressionismcityscapebuildingschurchmountainsskylandscapevillage

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and using color temperature to create depth. Students can learn to create a sense of light and shadow with expressive brushstrokes.

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 buildings, mountains, and church tower, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the sky, mountains, and the overall tones of the buildings.
step 03
Establish the darkest shadows and lightest highlights to define the forms.
step 04
Develop the details of the buildings, such as windows, doors, and roof lines, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Add the details of the church tower, paying attention to the subtle color variations in the stonework.
step 06
Refine the foreground with grass and rocks, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value relationships to create a sense of harmony.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to enhance the sense of light and atmosphere.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · ivory black

Mix various shades of white with touches of yellow ochre and burnt umber to achieve the warm tones of the buildings. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber for the dark mountain shadows. Mix viridian green with yellow ochre and white for the grass.

techniques