plate no. 5313

White Houses, Ville d'Avray

oil, canvasPointillismlandscapebuildingslandscapefieldtreesskyhouses

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand color mixing for subtle variations and practice applying pointillist techniques to build form and texture. It also provides practice in creating depth through color and value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the houses, wall, and landscape, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the basic division of the sky, buildings, and ground.
step 03
Begin applying small dots of color to the sky, starting with the lightest areas and gradually adding darker tones.
step 04
Work on the buildings, using a mix of white, gray, and touches of ochre to create the impression of sunlight and shadow.
step 05
Paint the roofs with small dots of red and orange, varying the intensity to suggest depth and form.
step 06
Create the field with a mix of yellow, green, and brown dots, layering the colors to create texture and variation.
step 07
Add the trees and bushes with darker greens and browns, using smaller dots to suggest foliage.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed to achieve a harmonious overall effect.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · viridian green · cadmium yellow

Mix white with small amounts of yellow ochre and blue to create the subtle grays of the buildings. Combine red and yellow for the roof tiles, and mix greens from blue and yellow with touches of brown for the foliage.

techniques