plate no. 0997

After the rain at la Roche Guyon

Auguste Herbin, 1906

oilImpressionismlandscaperiverbridgebuildingstreesskylandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, layering, and capturing atmospheric perspective with visible brushstrokes. It's also a good exercise in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and colors.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes: horizon line, riverbank, buildings, bridge, and trees.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blues, pinks, and yellows, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the basic color of the water, mixing greens, blues, and yellows, and apply with horizontal strokes.
step 04
Paint the distant buildings and trees with muted colors, focusing on their overall shapes rather than details.
step 05
Add the bridge, using yellows and browns for the stone, and darker tones for the shadows underneath.
step 06
Paint the trees in the foreground with reds, oranges, and browns, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
step 07
Add details to the water, reflecting the colors of the sky and buildings.
step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · cerulean blue · alizarin crimson

secondary · sap green · burnt sienna · titanium white

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and create muted tones by adding small amounts of complementary colors. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·broken color
·layering
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not capturing the muted tones of the scene.
→Failing to establish a clear sense of depth and perspective.
→Getting bogged down in details too early in the process.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 10)
·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil or acrylic medium
·mineral spirits or water for cleaning

optional

·easel
·painting medium
·varnish

Use a canvas with a medium texture to enhance the visibility of the brushstrokes. Acrylics are more beginner friendly, but oils will better capture the subtle color nuances.

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