plate no. 3169

Hillside

Tom Roberts, 1927

oilImpressionismlandscapehillstreescloudslandscapeskyvegetation

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering techniques to create depth. It also provides practice in capturing the subtle color variations in natural landscapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the hill, trees, and sky, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Establish the light and shadow areas with a thin wash of diluted paint.
step 03
Begin layering in the sky, blending the clouds with soft brushstrokes.
step 04
Develop the hillside by adding layers of green and brown, varying the tones to create depth.
step 05
Paint the trees, focusing on their shapes and the way light interacts with their foliage.
step 06
Add details to the foreground, such as individual trees and patches of grass.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows throughout the painting to enhance the sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final touches and details to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · sap green · raw sienna · cadmium yellow light · ivory black

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue, adjusting the ratio for different shades. Create muted tones by adding a touch of burnt umber to your colors.

techniques

·dry brushing
·scumbling
·layering
·atmospheric perspective
·broken color

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in an unnatural look.
→Ignoring the effects of atmospheric perspective, causing the background to appear too sharp.