plate no. 3531

Holy Mountain III

Horace Pippin, 1945

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)religious paintingforestanimalsfiguresreligiouslandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors, creating texture with visible brushstrokes, and simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. It also encourages observation of detail and pattern within a scene.

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 placement of the figures and animals.
step 02
Block in the background with dark greens and browns, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Paint the sky and any lighter areas in the background.
step 04
Begin layering the grass with various shades of green, adding small details like flowers.
step 05
Paint the animals and figures, starting with the base colors and adding details like fur and clothing.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create dimension and form.
step 07
Refine the details and add any final touches.
step 08
Varnish to protect the painting.

color palette

primary · dark green · brown · white · black

secondary · red · yellow · light green

Mix dark greens by combining dark green with black and brown. Use white to create lighter shades of green and brown. Mix red and yellow to create oranges for the animals.

techniques