plate no. 6836

View of monte Acuto

oilExpressionismlandscapetreeslandscapemountainskyfieldfoliage

some experience helpful

This painting is a good exercise in layering and creating depth with muted colors. Students will practice blending and creating soft edges to depict atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes: mountain, trees, and foreground.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of muted blues and browns.
step 03
Block in the mountain with a mix of blues, greens, and browns, focusing on the overall shape.
step 04
Paint the distant trees and foliage with darker greens and browns, softening the edges.
step 05
Add the foreground field with a mix of browns, oranges, and greens.
step 06
Paint the main trees, paying attention to the shapes of the foliage and the direction of light.
step 07
Add details to the foreground, such as small bushes and grasses.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · cerulean blue · sap green · yellow ochre

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors (e.g., blue and orange, green and red) with browns and white. Use thin washes for the sky and distant elements.

techniques