plate no. 4724

Cliff with Houses

oilPointillismcityscapebuildingsvillagecliffskytreeslandscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, layering, and pointillism techniques. It also encourages careful observation of light and shadow to create form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, cliff, and landscape, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish a light underpainting with diluted washes of warm and cool tones to define the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin applying small, distinct dots of color, starting with the sky and working your way down the composition.
step 04
Focus on layering different colors next to each other to create optical mixing and visual texture.
step 05
Use warmer colors for areas in sunlight and cooler colors for areas in shadow.
step 06
Pay close attention to the color variations within each area, such as the rooftops and the cliff face.
step 07
Refine the details of the buildings and foliage with smaller, more precise dots of color.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and form.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

secondary · sap green · cadmium red · titanium white

Achieve the stone colors by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white, with small touches of blue or green for cooler tones. Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, adjusting the ratio for different shades.

techniques