plate no. 9603
Road near Mont Sainte-Victoire
Paul Cezanne, 1902
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations and learn to apply broken color techniques to create texture and form. It will also teach them how to simplify complex scenes into geometric shapes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountain, trees, and building, focusing on their relative sizes and positions.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, using broken brushstrokes to suggest clouds.
- step 03
Establish the basic colors of the mountain, using a mix of blues, grays, and greens.
- step 04
Paint the trees and foliage with various shades of green, yellow, and brown, using short, choppy brushstrokes.
- step 05
Add the building with a warm yellow, paying attention to its simple geometric form.
- step 06
Define the road with a light yellow-brown, using broken brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 07
Refine the details of the mountain, trees, and building, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
- step 08
Add final touches, such as small details in the foreground and subtle variations in the sky.
color palette
primary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · viridian green · titanium white
secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow · ultramarine blue
Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, and grays by mixing complementary colors. Use white to lighten colors and create subtle variations.
techniques
- ·Broken color
- ·Impasto
- ·Color temperature variations
- ·Simplifying forms
- ·Layering
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending colors, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early.
- →Not paying attention to the underlying geometric structure of the scene.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 18x24
- ·Oil paints
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Rags
optional
- ·Medium gloss
- ·Easel
- ·Viewfinder
Use good quality oil paints for best results. A medium-textured canvas will help to create a more textured surface.
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