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home·artworks·Le dejeuner sur l'herbe
Le dejeuner sur l'herbe by Louis Vivin

plate no. 1142

Le dejeuner sur l'herbe

Louis Vivin, 1925

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)cityscapecityscapefigureswaterbuildingstreespark
suitable for beginners

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

palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Sketch the basic shapes and placement of the buildings, water, and figures.

  2. step 02

    Block in the large areas of color for the sky, water, grass, and buildings.

  3. step 03

    Add details to the buildings, such as windows and roof textures.

  4. step 04

    Paint the figures, simplifying their forms and using flat colors.

  5. step 05

    Add the trees and other foliage, using small brushstrokes to create texture.

  6. step 06

    Paint the reflections in the water, using slightly darker versions of the colors above.

  7. step 07

    Add the small white flower details in the grass.

  8. step 08

    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

  • ·flat color application
  • ·layering
  • ·simplified forms
  • ·pattern creation
  • ·dry brushing

common pitfalls

  • →overcomplicating the forms
  • →using too many colors
  • →not simplifying the details
  • →making the composition too symmetrical

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·acrylic paints
  • ·#4 round brush
  • ·#8 flat brush
  • ·palette
  • ·water
  • ·paper towels

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·easel
  • ·medium retarder

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.

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oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
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