plate no. 0077

Harlem River

Ernest Lawson, 1913

oil, canvasImpressionismlandscapebridgerivertreesbuildingsreflectionlandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in capturing reflections in water and depicting 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 shapes of the bridge, riverbank, and trees, paying attention to proportions and perspective.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and water, using thin washes.
step 03
Build up layers of color on the bridge and riverbank, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 04
Create the reflections in the water by mirroring the colors and shapes of the objects above.
step 05
Add details to the trees and buildings, using smaller brushes and finer strokes.
step 06
Refine the overall composition by adjusting the values and colors as needed.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Let it dry and add a varnish for protection.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · sap green · cadmium red

Mix blues and whites for the sky and water, adding touches of yellow ochre and green for variation. Use burnt sienna and cadmium red for the warmer tones in the riverbank and buildings. Mix ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create the darker tones in the bridge.

techniques