plate no. 7659

View of Tivoli (after Corot)

oil, canvasImpressionismlandscapelandscapetreesbuildingsfigureskyhills

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and loose brushwork to suggest form rather than define it precisely. It's a good exercise in simplifying complex scenes and capturing a sense of light and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main compositional elements: the wall, the figure, the trees, buildings, and distant hills.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of light blue and grey, blending softly.
step 03
Block in the distant hills with muted greens and blues, paying attention to value to create depth.
step 04
Paint the buildings and trees using a limited palette of browns, greens, and greys, focusing on suggesting form with loose brushstrokes.
step 05
Add the figure on the wall, using darker values to define the form and create a focal point.
step 06
Paint the wall in the foreground with warm browns, capturing the light and shadow.
step 07
Add details to the trees and buildings, but avoid overworking them.
step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed to create a harmonious and atmospheric effect.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · Prussian blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix muted greens by combining Prussian blue, yellow ochre, and raw umber. Achieve atmospheric perspective by lightening and greying colors as they recede into the distance.

techniques