plate no. 3467

Valley of the Lot at Vers

Andre Derain, 1912

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapelandscapemountainsvillageskytreesvalley

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex landscapes into basic shapes and using color to define form and light. Students will also learn to create depth using atmospheric perspective and color temperature.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: mountains, village, and sky.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light blue and yellow.
step 03
Establish the dark areas of the foreground with a mix of dark green and brown.
step 04
Paint the mountains using a mix of browns, oranges, and grays, varying the color temperature to create depth.
step 05
Add the village buildings with simplified shapes and colors.
step 06
Refine the details of the trees and foliage, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 07
Add highlights to the rocks and buildings to create a sense of light.
step 08
Review and adjust the colors and values to achieve a harmonious composition.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium orange · sap green · payne's gray

Mix browns and grays by combining umber, blue, and white. Achieve the mountain colors by blending orange, brown, and gray. Use white to lighten values and create atmospheric perspective.

techniques