plate no. 5541

Landscape of the Jas de Bouffan

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismlandscapelandscapetreesskybuildingshillsvegetation

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors, creating depth through atmospheric perspective, and capturing the essence of a scene with simplified forms and visible brushstrokes. Students will also learn to mix greens and yellows.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, indicating the horizon line, major shapes of the trees, and the location of the buildings.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light blue and yellow, allowing some areas to remain white for clouds.
step 03
Establish the distant hills with muted greens and blues, using lighter values to suggest atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Paint the middle ground with a mix of greens, yellows, and browns, indicating the fields and vegetation with broad strokes.
step 05
Add the trees in the foreground, using darker greens and blues to create depth and contrast. Use short, choppy brushstrokes to suggest foliage.
step 06
Indicate the buildings with small blocks of color, paying attention to their placement and relationship to the surrounding landscape.
step 07
Refine the details, adding highlights and shadows to create form and dimension. Use a dry brush technique to add texture to the trees and foliage.
step 08
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, or value.

color palette

primary · viridian green · yellow ochre · cerulean blue

secondary · raw umber · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix greens by combining viridian green with yellow ochre or cadmium yellow. Create muted tones by adding a touch of raw umber or alizarin crimson to your mixtures.

techniques