plate no. 1637

Houses on a hillside, Bo-Kaap

Gregoire Boonzaier, 1940

oilImpressionismlandscapebuildingslandscapehouseshillsideskyvegetation

some experience helpful

This painting is a good exercise in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and practicing color mixing to achieve realistic hues. Students will also learn to create depth through layering and atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and hillside, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin layer of light blue, leaving some areas for clouds.
step 03
Establish the main color masses for the buildings, using a mix of white, gray, and earth tones.
step 04
Add the green areas of the hillside, varying the shades and tones to create depth.
step 05
Paint the roofs with reds, oranges, and browns, adding highlights and shadows.
step 06
Define the details of the buildings, such as windows and doors, with darker colors.
step 07
Add the foreground details, such as the path and vegetation, using loose brushstrokes.
step 08
Refine the painting by adjusting colors, values, and edges to create a cohesive and harmonious image.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · ultramarine blue

Mix white with small amounts of blue and yellow ochre to create the sky. Use burnt umber and white for the buildings, adding touches of yellow ochre and blue for variation. Mix greens with blue and yellow ochre, adding red for shadows.

techniques