plate no. 5209

Large Country—Petrified Sand Hills

Marsden Hartley, 1932

oilRegionalismlandscapelandscapehillsskycloudswaterdesert

some experience helpful

This painting helps students practice layering colors to create depth and form, and simplifying complex landscapes into basic shapes. Students will also learn about creating a sense of space through atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the hills, sky, and water, focusing on the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light purple-blue, allowing for variations in tone.
step 03
Apply a base coat of ochre or raw sienna to the hills and foreground.
step 04
Add shadows to the hills using burnt umber and a touch of blue, defining their forms.
step 05
Paint the clouds with white and a hint of pink or purple, softening the edges.
step 06
Create the water with dark blues and blacks, adding subtle reflections.
step 07
Add details to the foreground with darker browns and greens to suggest vegetation.
step 08
Refine the edges and details, adjusting values as needed to create depth.

color palette

primary · raw sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix the sky color by combining ultramarine blue and white with a touch of crimson. Create the hill shadows by mixing burnt umber with ultramarine blue. Use yellow and white to highlight the hills.

techniques