plate no. 3281
Landscape, the Little Maresque Mountains
Henri-Edmond Cross, 1898
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand color mixing for pointillism and how to build form using small, distinct brushstrokes. It also provides practice in creating depth and atmosphere through color and value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the mountains and sky.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and major compositional elements.
- step 03
Begin applying small dots of color to the sky, starting with the lightest areas.
- step 04
Move to the mountains, layering dots of blue, orange, and yellow to create form and shadow.
- step 05
Pay attention to the color temperature changes as the mountains recede into the distance.
- step 06
Add the darker trees in the foreground, using vertical strokes.
- step 07
Refine the details and adjust the color balance as needed.
- step 08
Allow the painting to dry completely.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium orange · cerulean blue
Mix blue and white for the sky, adding touches of yellow for warmth. Use orange and yellow for highlights on the mountains, and blue and burnt sienna for shadows. Mix small amounts of complementary colors to create muted tones.
techniques
- ·pointillism
- ·color layering
- ·optical mixing
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Applying dots too uniformly, losing the sense of texture and variation.
- →Ignoring the color temperature changes in the landscape.
- →Failing to establish a clear focal point.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·cadmium orange oil paint
- ·cerulean blue oil paint
- ·small round brushes (#0, #1, #2)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A smooth canvas surface is ideal for pointillism.
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