plate no. 1217

Au bord de la rivière en hiver

Louis Vivin, 1930

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)cityscapewindmillsbuildingssnowfiguresriverwinter

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students practice linear perspective, layering, and creating a sense of depth through simplified forms. It's also a good exercise in depicting a winter scene with limited color variations.

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 of the buildings, windmills, and figures, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin, even layer of light blue paint.
step 03
Paint the larger areas of the buildings and windmills with their base colors (red, yellow, brown).
step 04
Add details to the buildings, such as the brick patterns and window frames, using thin lines.
step 05
Paint the snow on the roofs and ground with white, adding subtle shadows with a touch of gray.
step 06
Add the figures and animals, simplifying their shapes and using dark colors for contrast.
step 07
Paint the river with a light blue-gray color, adding subtle reflections.
step 08
Refine the details and add any final touches.

color palette

primary · light blue · red · yellow · white

secondary · brown · gray · black

Mix light blue by adding white to a small amount of blue. Create variations of brown by mixing red, yellow, and black. Use gray for shadows and reflections by mixing black and white.

techniques