plate no. 3010

Tuscan Landscape

Alberto Magnelli, 1922

oilExpressionismlandscapetreeslandscapebuildinghillsskyarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplified forms and color blocking, as well as understanding how to create depth using color and value.

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: the building, the hills, and the placement of the trees.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, hills, and foreground using diluted washes.
step 03
Define the building's planes with light and shadow using a limited palette of creams and grays.
step 04
Paint the trees, focusing on their verticality and the simplified shapes of light and shadow on their trunks.
step 05
Add the row of distant trees, using a darker tone to suggest distance.
step 06
Refine the foreground, adding details to the rocks and vegetation.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and harmony.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to create interest.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and green by blending burnt umber, yellow ochre, sap green, and ultramarine blue. Use titanium white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Mix cadmium red with burnt umber to create the roof color.

techniques