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home·artworks·Landscape in Chassy
Landscape in Chassy by Balthus

plate no. 9365

Landscape in Chassy

Balthus

oilExpressionismlandscapelandscapebuildingstreeshillsruralarchitecture
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, hills, and trees, focusing on proportions and placement.

  2. step 02

    Establish the overall color scheme by applying a thin wash of burnt umber and raw sienna to the entire canvas.

  3. step 03

    Begin layering in darker values to define shadows and create depth in the buildings and hills.

  4. step 04

    Introduce subtle variations in color to the hills and fields, using mixtures of ochre, sienna, and umber.

  5. step 05

    Paint the bare tree branches in the foreground, using a fine brush and a mixture of dark brown and black.

  6. step 06

    Add details to the buildings, such as windows, doors, and rooflines, using a smaller brush.

  7. step 07

    Soften edges and blend colors to create a sense of atmosphere and unity.

  8. step 08

    Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · ivory black · red oxide

Achieve the muted tones by mixing the primary colors with white and small amounts of black or red oxide to adjust the warmth and coolness.

techniques

  • ·layering
  • ·dry brushing
  • ·scumbling
  • ·atmospheric perspective
  • ·simplification

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the details and losing the overall simplicity of the scene.
  • →Creating harsh lines and edges instead of soft transitions.
  • →Using colors that are too bright or saturated, disrupting the muted palette.
  • →Ignoring the importance of atmospheric perspective in creating depth.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
  • ·burnt umber oil paint
  • ·raw sienna oil paint
  • ·yellow ochre oil paint
  • ·titanium white oil paint
  • ·round brushes (sizes #2, #6, #10)
  • ·palette
  • ·linseed oil

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
  • ·easel

Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for better paint adhesion and blending.

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