plate no. 7947

Paysage du Midi

Georges Ribemont-Dessaignes, 1905

oilPointillismlandscapelandscapetreeshillsskywatervegetation

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors with visible brushstrokes to create texture and depth. It also provides an opportunity to learn about simplifying complex landscapes into basic shapes and color blocks.

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, water, and sky, paying attention to the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blue and green, using small, distinct brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the base colors for the hills: brown, green, and reddish-brown.
step 04
Add layers of color to the hills, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and variation.
step 05
Paint the trees with dark green and brown, adding highlights with lighter greens and yellows.
step 06
Define the water with horizontal strokes of light blue and white.
step 07
Add details to the foreground vegetation with small dabs of color.
step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed.

color palette

primary · light blue · green · brown · white

secondary · reddish-brown · yellow · dark green

Mix various shades of green by combining blue, yellow, and brown. Achieve lighter tones by adding white to the primary colors. Create depth by layering colors and allowing some of the underlayers to show through.

techniques

·pointillism
·broken color
·layering
·dry brushing
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, which will lose the texture.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure.
→Getting bogged down in details too early.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes (various sizes)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
·mineral spirits or turpentine (for cleaning brushes)
·rags

optional

·easel
·medium for glazing
·varnish

Use a canvas with a smooth texture to allow for easier application of small brushstrokes. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly due to their faster drying time.

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