plate no. 7335

Mirmande (with Surrounding Hills)

Dorrit Black, 1934

oilCubismcityscapevillagehillsbuildingstreeslandscapesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand simplified forms and color blocking to represent a complex scene. It also provides practice in creating depth through color and value variations.

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 hills, buildings, and trees, focusing on overall composition.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, hills, and foreground using thinned paint.
step 03
Define the shapes of the buildings with darker and lighter values of the base colors.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and roofs, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the trees with simple, elongated shapes, varying the green tones to create depth.
step 06
Refine the foreground with details like the path and the low wall, paying attention to perspective.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensional effect of the landscape.
step 08
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments to color, value, and detail.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · sap green · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and green by combining the primary colors. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Add a touch of blue to darken the shadows.

techniques