plate no. 8202
Vermont Hills
Milton Avery, 1936
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand simplified forms and how to create depth using color and value changes. It also encourages expressive brushwork to define shapes and textures.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the hills and foreground, focusing on their relative sizes and positions.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-green wash.
- step 03
Establish the dark mass of the trees on the left, using a dark brown or green.
- step 04
Paint the distant hills with muted greens and blues, paying attention to value differences.
- step 05
Add the lighter colored hills in the mid-ground, using a mix of white, blue, and a touch of green.
- step 06
Develop the foreground with layers of green and brown, using short, expressive brushstrokes.
- step 07
Add details like individual trees and foliage with darker colors.
- step 08
Refine the overall composition by adjusting values and adding highlights.
color palette
primary · dark green · light blue · white
secondary · brown · yellow ochre · grey
Mix greens by combining blues and yellows. Achieve muted tones by adding small amounts of complementary colors (e.g., a touch of red to green).
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·color blocking
- ·simplified forms
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details
- →Making the colors too saturated
- →Losing the sense of depth
- →Ignoring the expressive brushwork
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·#2 round brush
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·easel
- ·painting medium
- ·rags
Use a limited palette to simplify color mixing. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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