plate no. 8045

Hilltown

oilImpressionismcityscapebuildingscityscaperivertreesfiguressky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork and color mixing to create atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in simplifying complex architectural forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, river, and sky, focusing on composition.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the sky, buildings, water, and foliage using thin washes.
step 03
Start building up layers of color on the buildings, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest texture and light.
step 04
Add details to the river, using horizontal strokes to indicate the flow of water and reflections.
step 05
Develop the foliage with a variety of greens and yellows, using dabbing and stippling techniques.
step 06
Add the figures along the riverbank, simplifying their forms and focusing on their silhouettes.
step 07
Refine the details of the buildings and bridge, paying attention to the play of light and shadow.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium yellow · viridian green · cadmium red

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining burnt umber, ultramarine blue, and titanium white. Achieve greens by mixing ultramarine blue and cadmium yellow, adjusting the ratio for different shades.

techniques