plate no. 1760

Bathing House Havel

oilImpressionismlandscapewaterhorsefigurebuildingskyboats

some experience helpful

This painting allows students to practice loose, expressive brushstrokes and capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise details. It's good for learning how to suggest form and movement with minimal detail.

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 and composition: horizon line, building, horse/rider, and boats.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and grays, using horizontal strokes.
step 03
Establish the water with varying shades of blue, gray, and brown, reflecting the sky and shore.
step 04
Paint the building with off-whites and grays, suggesting shadows and form with loose strokes.
step 05
Add the horse and rider, focusing on capturing their general shape and movement with browns and grays.
step 06
Indicate the boats in the distance with simple shapes and reflections.
step 07
Add details to the foreground, such as the shoreline and vegetation, using short, broken strokes.
step 08
Refine the painting by adjusting values and adding subtle color variations.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · payne's gray

Mix blues and whites for the sky and water. Use burnt umber and white to create various shades of brown for the horse and shoreline. Add yellow ochre to browns for warmer tones.

techniques