plate no. 2763

Villas at Villers sur Mer

oil, canvasImpressionismlandscapebuildingstreeslandscapeseaskyclouds

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. It also provides practice in capturing atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, sea, grass, and the general shapes of the trees and buildings.
step 03
Begin layering colors in the sky and sea, blending to create a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 04
Develop the foliage by using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest texture and depth.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, paying attention to the light and shadow on the facades.
step 06
Refine the foreground grass with varied greens and yellows, adding subtle highlights.
step 07
Add final touches to the clouds, softening edges and adding highlights.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall balance of color and value.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · viridian green · cadmium yellow · rose madder

secondary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and use white to create lighter tints. Achieve the building colors by mixing reds, yellows, and a touch of blue to create muted pinks and oranges.

techniques