plate no. 3149

Mountainous Landscape

oilExpressionismlandscapemountainslandscapetreeshillsskybuilding

some experience helpful

This painting is great for learning expressive brushwork and how to simplify a complex scene into basic shapes and colors. Students can practice layering and blending colors to create depth and texture.

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 mountains, hills, and foreground.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light gray wash.
step 03
Establish the main color masses for the mountains, using a mix of grays, pinks, and blues.
step 04
Paint the hills with browns, greens, and oranges, focusing on the direction of the brushstrokes to suggest form.
step 05
Add details to the foreground, including the building and any prominent vegetation.
step 06
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, paying attention to the overall harmony.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final details and adjust the composition as needed.

color palette

primary · gray · pink · brown · green

secondary · blue · orange · white

Mix grays by combining white, black, and a touch of blue or brown. Achieve pinks by mixing red and white. Browns can be created by mixing orange, black, and a touch of blue.

techniques