plate no. 0020
Plateau Bromont at Pontgibaud (Puy de Dôme)
Armand Guillaumin, 1890
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve atmospheric perspective and layering brushstrokes to create texture and form.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the haystacks, horizon line, and mountain shapes.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light blue and yellow, blending the colors.
- step 03
Establish the base colors for the field using a mix of ochre, orange, and brown.
- step 04
Paint the distant mountains with muted blues and purples to create atmospheric perspective.
- step 05
Begin layering colors on the haystacks, using darker browns and oranges for shadows and lighter yellows and oranges for highlights.
- step 06
Add details to the trees and foliage, using greens and browns.
- step 07
Refine the details and add texture to the haystacks with short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the depth and dimension of the painting.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue
secondary · titanium white · cadmium orange · viridian green
Mix muted blues and purples for the distant mountains by combining ultramarine blue with burnt sienna and a touch of white. Achieve the warm tones of the haystacks by blending burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and cadmium orange.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in a less natural look.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and distance in the landscape.
- →Not varying the brushstrokes enough to create texture and interest.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·turpentine or mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
- ·apron
Use a medium-grain canvas to allow for texture. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly, but oils offer richer colors and blending capabilities.
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