plate no. 9054

Bridge of Dee - Aberdeen

oilRealismcityscapebridgeriverbuildingstreesskyfigures

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in creating atmospheric perspective and rendering reflections in water. Students can learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the bridge, riverbanks, buildings, and trees.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the basic perspective of the bridge.
step 03
Apply a light wash of diluted blue and gray for the sky, allowing it to dry.
step 04
Paint the distant buildings and trees with muted greens and grays, using a wet-on-wet technique for soft edges.
step 05
Add the bridge with a light gray wash, paying attention to the arches and their reflections in the water.
step 06
Paint the river with horizontal strokes of varying blues and grays, reflecting the sky and the bridge.
step 07
Add details to the foreground riverbank with browns and greens, including the figures and boat.
step 08
Refine the details of the trees and buildings, adding shadows and highlights to create depth.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · raw umber · burnt sienna

secondary · sap green · payne's gray

Mix blues and grays for the sky and water. Use raw umber and burnt sienna for earth tones. Muted greens are achieved by mixing sap green with raw umber.

techniques