plate no. 3664

Northern Heights

Jacques Sterenberg, 2020

oilExpressionismlandscapelandscapelakehillsskytreesvegetation

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplified shapes and bold brushstrokes to create a vibrant landscape. It's a good exercise in color mixing and layering to achieve depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the hills, lake, and foreground.
step 02
Block in the sky with light yellow and grey tones.
step 03
Paint the distant hills using shades of blue, purple, and green.
step 04
Fill in the lake with muted blues and greens, reflecting the sky.
step 05
Add the foreground field with bright yellow and green.
step 06
Define the vegetation along the shoreline with darker greens and yellows.
step 07
Use bold, visible brushstrokes throughout the painting.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to create depth and interest.

color palette

primary · yellow · blue · green

secondary · purple · grey · black

Mix greens by combining yellow and blue. Create muted tones by adding a touch of complementary colors (e.g., a little red to green). Use white to lighten colors for highlights.

techniques