plate no. 9851

House at the Water

Auguste Herbin, 1905

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapetreeswaterbuildingslandscapeskyfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing and applying distinct brushstrokes to build form and texture. It also encourages observation of color variations in nature and simplification of complex scenes.

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 buildings, trees, and water, focusing on composition.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blue and white, using horizontal brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the dark areas of the trees and foliage with dark green and blue.
step 04
Add the mid-tones to the trees using various shades of green, yellow, and brown.
step 05
Paint the buildings with reds, oranges, and yellows, using blocky brushstrokes.
step 06
Create the water reflections with blues, purples, and pinks, using vertical strokes.
step 07
Add highlights and details to the trees and buildings with lighter colors.
step 08
Refine the brushstrokes and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · cadmium red · sap green

secondary · titanium white · purple · orange

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and create variations by adding white, brown, or red. Achieve the water reflections by mixing blues, purples, and pinks with white.

techniques

·broken color
·impasto
·color mixing
·blocky brushstrokes
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy effect.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough, leading to a flat appearance.
→Failing to capture the light and shadow accurately.
→Getting lost in details and losing the overall impression.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes
·flat brushes
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
·turpentine or mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)

optional

·painting medium
·easel
·apron

Use a medium-grain canvas to allow for texture. Acrylics are faster drying and easier to clean, while oils offer richer colors and blending capabilities.

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