plate no. 8018

Saint-Jean-du-Doigt

Maxime Maufra, 1906

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismlandscapelandscapebuildingshillsskyroadtrees

some experience helpful

This painting offers a good opportunity to practice layering colors and creating depth in a landscape. Students can learn to simplify forms and use brushstrokes to suggest texture and light.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and major shapes of the hills and buildings.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-gray wash, leaving some areas for clouds.
step 03
Establish the main colors of the hills and foreground using broad strokes.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, using a smaller brush to define edges and shadows.
step 05
Develop the texture of the foreground road with varied brushstrokes and color variations.
step 06
Refine the details of the trees and foliage, using short, broken strokes.
step 07
Add highlights to the buildings and landscape to create a sense of light and shadow.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow · raw sienna

Mix greens by combining ultramarine blue and cadmium yellow, and adjust the shade with burnt umber. Achieve the sandy tones of the road by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, and white.

techniques

·broken color
·layering
·scumbling
·alla prima
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Creating colors that are too saturated or unnatural.
→Failing to establish a clear sense of depth and perspective.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough to create texture and interest.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 12x16
·oil paints (yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, sap green, cadmium yellow, raw sienna)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·rags