plate no. 1512

Trinity of the Mount

Felix Vallotton, 1913

oil, panelPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingstreescityscapeskyarchitecturewall

some experience helpful

This painting offers a chance to practice simplifying complex forms and using color temperature to create depth. Students can learn to capture the essence of a scene with expressive brushstrokes and a limited palette.

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 and composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings and the wall.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of color, establishing the overall warm tone.
step 03
Establish the main color masses for the buildings, using variations of orange and brown.
step 04
Paint the wall with cool grays and blues, adding subtle variations in tone.
step 05
Add the dark greens of the trees, using broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Refine the details of the architecture, such as windows and architectural features.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments to color, value, and composition.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · sap green · cadmium yellow light

Mix burnt sienna and raw umber with white to create the various shades of the buildings. Use ultramarine blue and white for the cool tones of the wall. Mix greens with yellow ochre and ultramarine blue.

techniques