plate no. 0257

Two Women on the Hillside

Franz Marc, 1906

oil, canvasImpressionismgenre paintingfigureslandscapefieldgrassskyclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork and capturing light and shadow with simplified forms. It's a good exercise in impressionistic techniques and color mixing for naturalistic scenes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, field, and the main shapes of the figures' clothing.
step 03
Start defining the forms with thicker, more visible brushstrokes, paying attention to the direction of the strokes.
step 04
Mix and apply variations of green and yellow for the grass, using short, broken strokes.
step 05
Add details to the figures, such as the hat and the patterns on the dress, using small touches of color.
step 06
Refine the sky with subtle variations of blue and gray, blending the colors slightly.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Step back and make any final adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium yellow · ivory black · raw sienna

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Burnt umber and black create darker tones.

techniques