plate no. 5063

Cottages in the Jura

oil, paperRealismlandscapecottagesmountainstreesskylandscapebuildings

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the texture of different surfaces using varied brushstrokes. Students will also learn to simplify complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the cottages and mountains, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the darks and lights with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin adding details to the mountains, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and suggest the form.
step 04
Develop the cottages, focusing on the planes of the roofs and walls, and the direction of light.
step 05
Add details to the foreground, such as the path and any vegetation, using a variety of brushstrokes to create interest.
step 06
Refine the sky, blending the colors to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the darker tones in the mountains and shadows. Use raw sienna and white for the lighter areas of the cottages and path. Add a touch of yellow ochre to warm up the highlights.

techniques