plate no. 9736

Figures Outside Cottages

oilExpressionismlandscapecottagesfigureslandscapeskymountainsfence

suitable for beginners

This painting is great for practicing simplified shapes and color blocking. Students can learn to create a sense of depth with minimal detail and expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the cottages, figures, and landscape.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, land, and mountains.
step 03
Add the base colors for the cottages, using a light pink or off-white.
step 04
Paint the figures with simplified shapes and limited detail.
step 05
Add details to the cottages, such as windows and doors, using darker colors.
step 06
Use visible brushstrokes to add texture to the land and foliage.
step 07
Refine the colors and values to create depth and interest.
step 08
Add final details, such as the fence and any highlights.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · sky blue

secondary · cadmium yellow · burnt sienna · pink

Mix the sky color by combining white with a touch of blue and yellow. Create the land color by mixing brown with a bit of yellow and blue. Achieve the cottage color by mixing white with a small amount of red.

techniques