plate no. 3854

Table Mountain from Signal Hill - DinksFãStan Private Collection

James Yates, 2020

oilImpressionismlandscapemountaintreeslandscapeskycloudsgrass

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in depicting atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in painting trees and foliage with varied brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the mountain's shape and the placement of trees.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blue, blending towards the horizon.
step 03
Establish the base colors of the mountain, using a mix of browns, blues, and grays.
step 04
Paint the distant hills and foliage, using lighter and muted tones to create depth.
step 05
Add the main trees, focusing on their structure and the patterns of light and shadow.
step 06
Develop the foreground grass and flowers with varied greens, yellows, and reds.
step 07
Refine the details of the mountain, adding highlights and shadows to define its form.
step 08
Add final touches to the trees and foliage, adjusting colors and values as needed.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · sap green

Mix blues and browns with white for the mountain. Use yellow ochre and sap green for the grass, adding red for the flowers. Vary the proportions to achieve different shades and tones.

techniques