plate no. 6420

Houses on the Hill

oilImpressionismlandscapehousestreeslandscapefoliageskypath

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in layering colors to create depth and using loose brushstrokes to suggest form rather than define it precisely. Students will also learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

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 houses, trees, and path, focusing on composition.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of yellow and ochre.
step 03
Block in the large masses of the trees and foliage with dark greens and browns.
step 04
Add the base colors for the houses, using muted whites and grays.
step 05
Layer in details on the trees, varying the greens and browns to create depth.
step 06
Refine the shapes and values of the houses, adding windows and roof details.
step 07
Paint the path with a mix of browns and reds, suggesting texture with broken brushstrokes.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of light.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · sap green · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · raw sienna · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre, sap green, and a touch of ultramarine blue. Create muted whites by adding a small amount of burnt umber to titanium white.

techniques

·broken color
·layering
·scumbling
·color mixing
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, losing the impressionistic feel.
→Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in an unnatural look.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure, leading to a flat painting.
→Neglecting the importance of edges, making the forms appear too defined.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, sap green, titanium white, cadmium yellow, raw sienna, ultramarine blue)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat, sizes 2-8)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·rags