plate no. 4222

Pastoral

Balthus, 1960

oil, canvasExpressionismlandscapelandscapehillsfieldsbuildingskytrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

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 hills, fields, and buildings, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of diluted burnt umber or raw sienna to tone the canvas.
step 03
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and distant hills.
step 04
Layer in the colors of the fields, using variations of yellow, brown, and green.
step 05
Paint the building with simplified shapes and colors, focusing on light and shadow.
step 06
Add details to the foreground, such as the trees and bushes, using dry brush techniques.
step 07
Refine the overall composition and adjust the values to create depth.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium yellow

Mix the greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Burnt sienna and raw umber can be mixed to create earth tones.

techniques