plate no. 7342

Montecalvello

Balthus, 1979

oil, canvasExpressionismlandscapelandscapehillsfieldsskybuildingfigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and subtle color blending to create depth and distance. It also provides practice in rendering varied textures using different brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, paying attention to the placement of the hills, fields, and buildings.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the overall atmospheric perspective by applying a thin wash of muted colors.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the sky, hills, and fields, focusing on the subtle variations in tone.
step 04
Develop the form of the hills and rock formations using light and shadow, gradually building up layers of paint.
step 05
Add details to the fields and buildings, paying attention to the perspective and scale.
step 06
Introduce the figures in the foreground, keeping them simple and understated.
step 07
Refine the textures of the landscape using dry brush techniques and subtle color variations.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the depth and atmosphere of the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cerulean blue · burnt sienna

Achieve the muted tones by mixing raw umber and white with small amounts of yellow ochre and cerulean blue. Use burnt sienna to add warmth to the foreground and shadows.

techniques