plate no. 3637
The Entrance to the Villa Beaulieu in Honfleur (also known as Before the Storm)
Felix Vallotton, 1916
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to convey distance.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the path and the placement of the trees.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-gray wash.
- step 03
Establish the main areas of green for the grass and foliage, using darker greens in the shadows.
- step 04
Paint the path with a light beige color, adding subtle variations in tone to suggest texture.
- step 05
Develop the trees, layering different shades of green and brown to create depth and form.
- step 06
Add details to the foliage, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest leaves.
- step 07
Introduce the small yellow flowers in the grass with small dots of color.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · sap green · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · burnt umber · cerulean blue · cadmium yellow
Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and cerulean blue with varying amounts of white. Use burnt umber to darken greens and create shadows. Achieve the path color by mixing yellow ochre and white with a touch of burnt umber.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·layering
- ·broken color
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details, which can flatten the image.
- →Using too much pure color without mixing, leading to a lack of harmony.
- →Ignoring the subtle value shifts that create depth.
- →Failing to create a convincing sense of atmospheric perspective.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits or turpentine (for cleaning)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·apron
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly due to their faster drying time.
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