plate no. 5643

Barges on the Seine

Louis Valtat, 1905

oil, canvasFauvismlandscapeboatswaterbuildingstreeslandscaperocks

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in broken color techniques and capturing light and shadow with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and color blocks.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition: horizon line, major landmasses, and boat placements.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of light blue, allowing some canvas to show through.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the land, water, and boats with simplified color masses.
step 04
Begin adding layers of broken color within each area, using short, distinct brushstrokes.
step 05
Focus on capturing the light and shadow patterns on the water and land.
step 06
Refine the shapes of the boats and buildings, adding details with small brushstrokes.
step 07
Add highlights with touches of pure yellow and white.
step 08
Review the painting and adjust colors and values as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

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

secondary · viridian green · burnt umber · raw sienna

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow. Create variations in earth tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and white. Achieve the water's shimmering effect by layering blues, greens, and whites.

techniques

·broken color
·impasto
·scumbling
·alla prima
·color layering

common pitfalls

→over-blending colors
→getting bogged down in details too early
→not capturing the light and shadow accurately
→using too much paint

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 or similar)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, titanium white, cadmium red, viridian green, burnt umber, raw sienna)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat, sizes 2-8)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags