plate no. 0499

Landscape with Oxen

Balthus, 1942

oil, canvasExpressionismlandscapelandscapeoxenmountainsvillagetreesfigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values. It also offers practice in creating texture with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, paying attention to the placement of the mountains, village, and oxen.
step 02
Establish the sky and distant mountains with thin washes of color, focusing on atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Block in the dark masses of the hills and trees, gradually adding lighter values to suggest form and depth.
step 04
Paint the field with broad, visible brushstrokes, varying the color slightly to create texture and interest.
step 05
Add the details of the village, simplifying the forms and focusing on the overall impression.
step 06
Paint the oxen and figure, paying attention to their proportions and placement within the scene.
step 07
Add the bare tree and log in the foreground, using dark colors and bold brushstrokes to create contrast.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · Prussian blue

secondary · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black

Mix muted greens by combining yellow ochre, Prussian blue, and burnt umber. Achieve lighter values by adding titanium white. Use ivory black sparingly to darken colors.

techniques