plate no. 9764

Sketch for 'Near Toulon'

Rupert Bunny, 1929

oilImpressionismlandscapelandscapemountainstreesbuildingsskyhills

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, hills, tree, and buildings with light pencil lines.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light gray.
step 03
Establish the dark mass of the distant hills and the lighter tones of the foreground hills.
step 04
Paint the basic forms of the tree, focusing on the branching structure.
step 05
Add the shapes of the buildings, using simplified forms and muted colors.
step 06
Develop the details of the foreground, suggesting texture with short brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, paying attention to the overall harmony.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · yellow ochre

secondary · viridian · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

Mix muted greens by combining yellow ochre, viridian, and a touch of raw umber. Achieve atmospheric grays by mixing titanium white, ultramarine blue, and a touch of burnt sienna.

techniques

·layering
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the sketch.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not harmonizing with the overall palette.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Making the tree too symmetrical or detailed.