plate no. 4491

The Hills from Cadborough, Sunset

Lucien Pissarro, 1913

oilImpressionismlandscapelandscapehillstreesfieldsskypath

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as using broken color techniques to represent light and texture in a landscape. Students will also learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line, the winding path, and the major shapes of the hills and trees.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of pale lavender and yellow, blending softly.
step 03
Block in the large areas of green in the fields and hills, using a mix of greens, yellows, and blues.
step 04
Add darker values to indicate shadows and depth in the trees and hills.
step 05
Introduce broken color by layering small strokes of different colors (greens, yellows, blues, browns) to create texture and visual interest.
step 06
Define the path with varying shades of green and brown, suggesting its winding form.
step 07
Add details to the trees, using short, broken strokes to create the impression of foliage.
step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · sap green · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium yellow light

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten values and create pastel hues. Add small amounts of burnt umber to darken greens and create earth tones.

techniques