plate no. 2249

Landscape with River

oilImpressionismlandscaperivertreesskylandscapefigurebuildings

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the mood of a landscape with a limited color palette. It also provides practice in loose, expressive brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and placement of major elements like the river, trees, and buildings.
step 02
Establish the sky with broad, blended strokes of gray and white, adding hints of blue.
step 03
Block in the dark masses of the trees and foliage, using a mix of browns, greens, and blacks.
step 04
Paint the river with horizontal strokes, reflecting the colors of the sky and surrounding landscape.
step 05
Add details to the buildings and figure, keeping them simple and suggestive.
step 06
Refine the foreground with textured brushstrokes, creating a sense of depth.
step 07
Add subtle highlights and shadows to enhance the form of the trees and foliage.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall values and color harmony.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of gray for the sky by combining white, black, and a touch of blue. Achieve the greens by mixing yellow ochre with black and a small amount of blue. Browns are created by mixing umber with black and/or yellow ochre.

techniques