plate no. 6105
White House on a Hill
Chaim Soutine, 1918
some experience helpful
This painting is a good exercise in simplifying complex forms and capturing light with expressive brushstrokes. Students will learn to mix muted colors and create a sense of depth through layering.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the house, path, and trees using light pencil lines.
- step 02
Block in the sky and ground with thin washes of color.
- step 03
Start defining the house with thicker paint, focusing on the light and shadow.
- step 04
Add details to the trees and foliage, using short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 05
Refine the path, blending colors to create a sense of depth.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the house to enhance its form.
- step 07
Review and adjust the overall composition and color balance.
- step 08
Add final details and allow to dry.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · raw umber
secondary · sap green · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue
Mix white with yellow ochre and a touch of raw umber to create the off-white color of the house. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create muted greens and browns.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·scumbling
- ·wet-on-dry layering
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Failing to establish a clear focal point.
- →Ignoring the underlying structure of the forms.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process. Consider using a toned canvas to create a more unified color scheme.
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