plate no. 8168

Mont Sainte-Victoire

Marsden Hartley, 1927

oilCubismlandscapemountainlandscapeskyhillstrees

some experience helpful

This painting offers a great opportunity to practice broken color techniques and learn how to simplify complex forms into geometric shapes. Students will develop skills in color mixing and layering to create depth and texture.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountain, hills, and sky, focusing on proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, using a limited palette of primary colors and white.
step 03
Begin layering broken color strokes to build up the forms, paying attention to the direction of light and shadow.
step 04
Mix variations of pink, blue, green, and yellow to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 05
Use short, choppy brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.
step 06
Refine the details of the mountain and hills, adding highlights and shadows to define the forms.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values as needed to create a harmonious and balanced composition.
step 08
Add final touches, such as subtle variations in the sky and foreground.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · cadmium yellow · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · yellow ochre

Mix pinks by combining alizarin crimson and titanium white. Create greens by mixing ultramarine blue and cadmium yellow. Use white to lighten values and create subtle variations in color.

techniques

·broken color
·dry brush
·color layering
·geometric simplification
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, which can result in a muddy or flat appearance.
→Failing to simplify the forms, which can make the painting look cluttered and confusing.
→Ignoring the direction of light and shadow, which can flatten the forms and reduce the sense of depth.
→Using too many colors, which can create a chaotic and unbalanced composition.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson, cadmium yellow, titanium white)
·round brushes (#2, #6)
·flat brush (#8)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits