plate no. 0437

In the Vicinity of Bordiguera, in the North of Italy

pastel, paperRealismcityscapebuildingstreeslandscapevillageskyarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering textures with visible brushstrokes and understanding atmospheric perspective to create depth. It also provides practice in simplifying complex architectural forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and landscape, focusing on proportions and perspective.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the overall composition.
step 03
Block in the main color masses for the sky, hills, buildings, and foreground using thin washes.
step 04
Begin adding details to the buildings, defining the shapes of the stones and windows with thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Develop the foliage, using a variety of greens and yellows to create depth and texture.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details in the foreground, adding small plants and textures.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.

color palette

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

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light · sap green · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining the primary colors. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Mix greens by combining blue and yellow.

techniques