plate no. 0819

Paysage aux deux Cyprés

Jean Metzinger, 1905

oilPointillismlandscapetreeslandscapeskyflowersmountainsfoliage

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop their understanding of color mixing and applying pointillist techniques to create depth and texture. It will also improve patience and attention to detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the trees, mountains, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme, focusing on the light peach and lavender tones of the sky.
step 03
Begin applying small dots of color to the sky, varying the hues to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 04
Move on to the distant mountains, using cooler blues and purples to suggest distance.
step 05
Start building up the foliage with layers of green, yellow, orange, and red dots.
step 06
Pay close attention to the placement of each dot, allowing the colors to blend optically.
step 07
Add details to the trees, such as branches and shadows, using darker shades of green and brown.
step 08
Finish by adding the small flowers in the foreground, using bright pops of color.

color palette

primary · sap green · peach · lavender · cerulean blue

secondary · cadmium yellow · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and vary the shades by adding white or brown. Achieve the peach tones by mixing white, yellow, and a touch of red. Create lavender by mixing blue and red with white.

techniques