plate no. 5344

View of a Village with Red Roofs

Maurice de Vlaminck, 1912

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingstreeslandscapeskyhillsfields

some experience helpful

This painting offers a good opportunity to practice simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using color to define form and light. Students can learn to create depth through atmospheric perspective and layering.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, trees, and landscape, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, blending it slightly with white near the horizon.
step 03
Establish the basic colors of the distant hills and fields using muted greens and blues.
step 04
Paint the main building with its red roof, using a mix of warm and cool grays for the walls.
step 05
Add the trees, using a mix of greens, yellows, and browns to create depth and form.
step 06
Define the fields with varying shades of green and brown, creating a sense of perspective.
step 07
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and doors, using dark colors to create contrast.
step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed to create a harmonious and balanced painting.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Cadmium Yellow · Alizarin Crimson · Titanium White

secondary · Burnt Umber · Yellow Ochre · Sap Green

Mix greens by combining Prussian Blue and Cadmium Yellow. Achieve muted tones by adding Burnt Umber to colors. Create atmospheric perspective in the hills by mixing blue and white with a touch of red.

techniques