plate no. 2114

Sermon on the Mountain

oil, canvasImpressionismreligious paintingfigureslandscapetreesgrassreligious scenegroup

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in a landscape setting and understanding atmospheric perspective through color and value variations. It also encourages practice in capturing light and shadow on forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the landscape elements.
step 02
Establish the background with broad washes of color, creating the sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures, paying attention to their proportions and poses.
step 04
Start adding details to the figures, refining their features and clothing.
step 05
Develop the foreground with layers of color and texture to create the impression of grass and foliage.
step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows on the figures and landscape, adding highlights and deepening the dark areas.
step 07
Add final details and adjust the overall color balance to create a harmonious composition.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green

Achieve the muted greens by mixing yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and a touch of burnt umber. Create skin tones by blending titanium white, cadmium red, and yellow ochre. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create dark shadows.

techniques