plate no. 8407
Landscape in Cagnes
Felix Vallotton, 1923
some experience helpful
This painting offers practice in blocking in shapes with flat color and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. Students can also learn to simplify complex forms into geometric shapes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings, hills, and figures.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, hills, buildings, and foreground.
- step 03
Refine the shapes of the buildings and add details like windows and roofs.
- step 04
Add the trees and foliage, varying the greens and using darker tones for shadows.
- step 05
Paint the figures in the foreground, paying attention to their proportions and poses.
- step 06
Add the details of the garden, including the plants and fence posts.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · viridian green · ultramarine blue
secondary · burnt umber · cadmium orange · titanium white
Mix greens by blending viridian with yellow ochre and white. Achieve darker tones by adding burnt umber to the greens and yellows. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·flat color application
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the composition.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Incorrect proportions of the figures.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oils)
- ·mineral spirits (if using oils)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Acrylics are a good option for beginners due to their fast drying time.
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