plate no. 0103

Little Mountain in Wales

Graham Sutherland, 1944

oilNeo-Romanticismlandscapemountainlandscapeplantsskyabstractfoliage

some experience helpful

This painting offers a chance to practice expressive mark-making and simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. Students can learn to create depth through layering and color variation.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the mountain, foreground, and sky.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: white/yellow for the mountain top, dark tones for the background, and muted colors for the foreground.
step 03
Add the red highlights to the mountain top, blending them into the white/yellow.
step 04
Define the edges of the mountain and foreground with dark lines, using a brush or charcoal.
step 05
Introduce the yellow lines that define the mountain's form and connect it to the foreground.
step 06
Add details to the foreground, such as the plants and rocks, using a variety of colors and brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to create depth and interest.

color palette

primary · white · black · red · yellow

secondary · blue · green · purple

Mix muted greens and purples by combining primary colors with white and black. Achieve the yellow lines by mixing yellow with a touch of white for opacity.

techniques