plate no. 8535

Pueblo Mountain

Marsden Hartley, 1918

oilExpressionismlandscapemountainslandscapetreesskyfieldvegetation

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides an opportunity to explore simplified forms and expressive color choices.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, horizon line, and trees.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blue, leaving some areas for clouds.
step 03
Apply a base layer of dark blue for the mountains, varying the tone slightly.
step 04
Add green and darker blue strokes to the mountains to create texture and depth.
step 05
Block in the field with a mix of orange, yellow, and brown.
step 06
Add green and blue strokes to the field to represent vegetation and shadows.
step 07
Paint the trees with a mix of green and blue, using short, choppy strokes.
step 08
Refine details and add highlights where needed.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · burnt sienna

Mix ultramarine with white for the sky. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the field, adding white to lighten. Mix ultramarine and viridian green for the vegetation.

techniques