plate no. 9883

A View of the River Arno, Towards Ponte Vecchio in Florence

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapebridgeriverbuildingscityscapearchitecturewater

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in rendering atmospheric perspective and capturing the subtle color variations in a cityscape. Students will develop skills in layering colors and creating depth through value and color temperature changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the bridge, buildings, and river, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the overall composition.
step 03
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, water, and buildings using thin washes.
step 04
Develop the values and colors of the bridge and buildings, working from dark to light.
step 05
Add details to the buildings and bridge, such as windows, arches, and reflections.
step 06
Refine the colors and values of the water, creating a sense of depth and movement.
step 07
Soften edges and blend colors to create atmospheric perspective.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · titanium white · raw umber · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of ochre and sienna with white to create the warm tones of the buildings. Use ultramarine blue and raw umber for the cooler tones of the water and distant buildings. Add small amounts of red to warm up the browns and create variations in the building colors.

techniques