
plate no. 1142
Louis Vivin, 1925
Recreating this painting helps students practice simplified forms, layering, and creating a sense of depth through size and placement. It also encourages observation of details and translating them into a stylized representation.
technical profile
approach — 8 steps
Sketch the basic shapes and placement of the buildings, water, and figures.
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, water, grass, and buildings.
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and roof textures.
Paint the figures, simplifying their forms and using flat colors.
Add the trees and other foliage, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
Paint the reflections in the water, using slightly darker versions of the colors above.
Add the small white flower details in the grass.
Refine details and add highlights and shadows as needed.
color palette
primary · sky blue · grass green · tan · red
secondary · dark blue · brown · white · pink
Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and create variations by adding white or brown. Achieve the building colors by mixing tans and browns.
techniques
common pitfalls
surface · stretched canvas
required
optional
Acrylics are recommended for their fast drying time and ease of use, but oils could also be used. Choose a canvas size that allows for comfortable detail work.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein