plate no. 3557

Gordon Hill

oil, canvasImpressionismlandscapelandscaperivertreesfieldhillssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in greens and yellows, as well as layering brushstrokes to create texture and depth in the foliage and fields.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the river's perspective and the placement of the treeline.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of muted colors.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the fields and the hill using broad strokes of yellow and green.
step 04
Define the river with darker, cooler tones, paying attention to reflections.
step 05
Add details to the trees, using varied greens and yellows to create depth and texture.
step 06
Layer brushstrokes to build up the foliage and create a sense of depth.
step 07
Add highlights to the fields and trees to create a sense of light and shadow.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed to achieve a harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · sap green · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt sienna · titanium white · raw umber

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Use burnt sienna and raw umber to create earth tones for the river and shadows. Add titanium white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques