plate no. 0937

Landscape in Semmering with view of Rax

Koloman Moser, 1913

oil, panelSymbolismlandscapelandscapemountainsskyhillshorizon

some experience helpful

This painting is great for learning about color mixing to create atmospheric perspective and layering simple shapes to build a landscape. Students will practice blending and scumbling techniques to achieve the soft, hazy effect.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the horizon line and the basic shapes of the mountains.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-grey wash, blending from yellow near the horizon to a cooler blue higher up.
step 03
Paint the distant mountains with a diluted blue, creating a soft, hazy effect.
step 04
Layer in the mid-ground mountains using a mix of purples, pinks, and browns, gradually increasing the color saturation and value contrast.
step 05
Add the foreground mountains with the darkest values and most saturated colors, focusing on defining the shapes with visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Use dry brush technique to add texture to the mountains.
step 07
Refine the edges and details of the mountains, paying attention to the subtle color variations.
step 08
Add final highlights to the foreground mountains to create depth.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · alizarin crimson · violet

Mix blues and whites for the sky, adding yellow ochre near the horizon. Create purples by mixing blues and reds for the mountains, adjusting the proportions for different values and hues. Use white to create tints and increase the atmospheric perspective.

techniques