plate no. 5298

Bridge over Stever River

George Stefanescu, 2001

oil, canvasExpressionismlandscapebridgetreeslandscapefoliageriverpath

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in applying impasto techniques and using color to create texture and depth. Students will also learn how to simplify 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
Sketch the basic shapes of the bridge, trees, and path using light pencil lines.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of burnt sienna or yellow ochre as an underpainting.
step 03
Begin blocking in the main areas of color: yellow and orange for the foliage, green for the bushes, and brown/black for the bridge and trees.
step 04
Use thick, short brushstrokes to build up texture and create the impression of leaves and foliage.
step 05
Mix variations of each color to add depth and dimension.
step 06
Add highlights with lighter yellows, oranges, and greens.
step 07
Define the bridge structure with darker lines and shadows.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow · orange · green · brown

secondary · red · white · black · blue

Achieve the foliage colors by mixing yellows and oranges with varying amounts of green, red, and white. Use black and burnt umber to create the dark tones for the bridge and trees.

techniques