plate no. 0126

King of the hill

John Bauer, 1909

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)illustrationtrollkingtreeslandscapefolklorehill

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in tonal shading, creating depth with value, and rendering textures with dry brush techniques. It also encourages expressive line work and character design.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the troll, the hill, and the trees.
step 02
Establish the overall tonal range with a thin wash of diluted brown or sepia.
step 03
Begin building up darker values in the shadows of the troll and the forest using layered washes.
step 04
Use a dry brush technique to add texture to the troll's hair and the foliage.
step 05
Define the details of the troll's face and crown with finer brushstrokes.
step 06
Add highlights to create a sense of form and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details of the trees and the foreground.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · sepia · burnt umber · raw sienna

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre

Achieve the various brown tones by mixing burnt umber with raw sienna and sepia. Use ivory black sparingly to deepen shadows. Yellow ochre can be used to create lighter highlights and warmer tones.

techniques