plate no. 0163

A River in England

C. R. W. Nevinson, 1944

oilExpressionismlandscaperivertreeswaterskygrassreflection

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing reflections in water and creating atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering foliage and creating a sense of depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the river, trees, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light blue wash, blending subtly to suggest clouds.
step 03
Block in the dark masses of the trees and foliage using a dark green or brown mixture.
step 04
Paint the water with horizontal strokes, capturing the reflections of the trees and sky.
step 05
Add details to the foliage, using lighter greens and yellows to suggest highlights.
step 06
Refine the reflections in the water, paying attention to the distortion and color variations.
step 07
Add final details, such as the reeds along the riverbank and the subtle ripples in the water.
step 08
Glaze with thin washes to adjust values and unify the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · sap green

Mix greens by combining ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, and a touch of raw umber. Achieve the water color by mixing ultramarine blue and titanium white, adding small amounts of raw umber for depth.

techniques