plate no. 6991

On the Heights

Charles Courtney Curran, 1909

oilImpressionismgenre paintingwomenskycloudsfigureslandscapefoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly rendering skin tones and drapery, and in capturing atmospheric perspective in the sky and background.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Establish the background sky with broad, blended strokes of blue and white.
step 03
Block in the basic shapes and values of the figures, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features and hair, using smaller brushes and subtle color variations.
step 05
Develop the drapery of the dresses, capturing the folds and highlights with careful brushwork.
step 06
Add details to the foliage and foreground, using a variety of greens and browns.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and adding highlights as needed.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the faces and clothing.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

secondary · raw umber · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of blue and white for the sky. Use yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white for skin tones, adding small amounts of red for warmth. Mix greens from blue, yellow, and brown.

techniques