plate no. 3723

Pic du Midi de Bigorre, vu de Tramesaygues

oilRealismlandscapemountainsvalleybuildingsfiguresskyrocks

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating atmospheric perspective and rendering detailed textures with a limited palette. Students will also learn to simplify complex landscapes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, valley, and buildings, focusing on proportions and perspective.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the rocks and mountains with a diluted dark tone.
step 03
Gradually build up the mid-tones in the mountains and valley, using hatching and cross-hatching to create texture.
step 04
Add details to the buildings and figures, paying attention to their relative size and placement.
step 05
Create atmospheric perspective by lightening the values of distant mountains and softening their edges.
step 06
Refine the details in the foreground rocks and vegetation, adding highlights and shadows.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and contrast to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final touches and details.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber

Mix ivory black and titanium white for various shades of gray. Add small amounts of raw umber or yellow ochre to warm the grays and create subtle color variations.

techniques