plate no. 1263

By the Eure River in Spring

Gustave Loiseau, 1902

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismlandscapetreesrivercloudslandscapereflectionvegetation

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice broken color techniques and capturing the effects of light and reflection on water. It also provides a good exercise in creating depth through layering and atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, indicating the horizon line, the position of the trees, and the river's course.
step 02
Establish the sky with light blue and white, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest clouds.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the trees with varying shades of green, adding darker tones for shadows and lighter tones for highlights.
step 04
Paint the water, mirroring the colors of the trees and sky, and adding horizontal strokes to indicate ripples and reflections.
step 05
Add the vegetation in the foreground with a mix of greens, yellows, and browns, using short, choppy brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Refine the details of the trees, adding branches and leaves with smaller brushstrokes.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create depth and harmony.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to enhance the overall impression of light and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · sap green · cerulean blue · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow light · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and create variations by adding white, umber, or ochre. Achieve the atmospheric perspective by lightening and muting colors as they recede into the distance.

techniques