plate no. 0404

View from My Window in Genets (Brittany)

Suzanne Valadon, 1922

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismlandscapetreesbuildingslandscapeskyfoliagevillage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in simplifying complex scenes into manageable shapes and brushstrokes. Students will also learn to create a sense of atmosphere through color and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, trees, and sky, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, starting with the sky and distant elements.
step 03
Layer in darker values to define the forms of the buildings and trees, creating depth.
step 04
Add highlights to the foliage and buildings to create a sense of light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the foreground trees with visible brushstrokes, adding details to the branches and leaves.
step 06
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, adjusting as needed to create a harmonious whole.
step 07
Add final details, such as small highlights and shadows, to enhance the realism of the scene.

color palette

primary · sap green · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and use white to lighten values. Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors.

techniques

·broken color
·layering
·scumbling
·alla prima
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Ignoring the atmospheric perspective and creating a flat, unconvincing sense of depth.