plate no. 5930

The Camel's Hump

Edward Hopper, 1931

oil, canvasNew Realismlandscapehillslandscapeskyvegetationmountainsclouds

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in blocking in large shapes, understanding light and shadow on forms, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. Students will also practice mixing a limited palette to achieve a range of values and colors.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the hills and sky, paying attention to the horizon line and the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of blue, leaving some areas lighter to suggest clouds.
step 03
Establish the dark areas of the hills using a dark brown or green mixture.
step 04
Apply the lighter, sunlit areas of the hills with a yellow-ochre or similar color, focusing on the direction of light.
step 05
Add details to the foreground vegetation, using a mix of greens and yellows to create texture.
step 06
Refine the shadows and highlights on the hills to create a sense of depth and form.
step 07
Add the small stream in the foreground with varying shades of green and blue.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · titanium white · viridian green · cadmium yellow

Mix ultramarine blue and titanium white for the sky, adding a touch of yellow ochre for warmth. Use burnt umber and yellow ochre to create the various shades of brown and green for the hills and vegetation. Add viridian green to the yellow ochre for the stream.

techniques