plate no. 8180

Hilly landscape, Auvergne

oilRealismlandscapelandscapehillstreesskybuildingsmountains

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering colors to create depth. It also provides practice in rendering textures of rocks, foliage, and distant mountains.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the large rock formation and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light blue wash, blending towards the horizon.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the hills and rock formation with basic earth tones.
step 04
Begin layering colors on the rock formation, adding shadows and highlights to define its form.
step 05
Paint the foliage, using a variety of greens and browns to create texture and depth.
step 06
Add details to the buildings, paying attention to their placement and scale.
step 07
Refine the distant mountains with lighter, cooler tones to create atmospheric perspective.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cerulean blue · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · sap green · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue, adjusting the ratio for different shades. Achieve atmospheric perspective by adding white to colors for distant elements.

techniques