plate no. 1344

Village with Church

oil, canvas, paintExpressionismlandscapechurchbuildingsvillageskytreeslandscape

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using visible brushstrokes to create texture and form. It also provides an opportunity to explore color mixing and atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the church and buildings, focusing on their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, using broad brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the main color blocks for the buildings and ground, using simplified color mixtures.
step 04
Add details to the church, such as windows and architectural features, with slightly darker values.
step 05
Develop the foreground with layers of browns and yellows to represent the ground and vegetation.
step 06
Paint the bare trees with thin, dark lines, adding a few branches.
step 07
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, paying attention to the light source.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to create depth and interest.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · raw sienna · payne's gray

Mix various shades of blue for the sky by adding white or a touch of gray to the cerulean blue. Create earth tones by mixing burnt umber with yellow ochre and white. Use cadmium red sparingly for roof accents.

techniques