plate no. 8984

On the mountain slopes

Martiros Sarian, 1922

oilExpressionismlandscapemountainstreeslandscapefieldsskyfigures

some experience helpful

This painting offers a good opportunity to practice simplified shapes and color blocking to create a landscape. Students can learn to suggest details with minimal brushstrokes and focus on overall color harmony.

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, fields, and tree lines using light pencil strokes.
step 02
Establish the sky color with a thin wash of blue, leaving some canvas exposed for texture.
step 03
Block in the mountain masses with a base color of burnt sienna, varying the tone slightly.
step 04
Define the tree masses with dark green-blue mixtures, using short, choppy brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the fields with a warm ochre color, adding subtle variations in tone and hue.
step 06
Add the road and figures in the foreground using dark blue-violet, simplifying their forms.
step 07
Refine the shapes of the trees and mountains, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add final details and adjust the overall color balance to achieve a harmonious effect.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

secondary · viridian green · violet

Mix burnt sienna and ultramarine blue to create the dark greens and blues for the trees and shadows. Use yellow ochre with small amounts of burnt sienna and white for the fields.

techniques