plate no. 7214

Le réservoir à Poitiers

Armand Guillaumin, 1910

oilImpressionismlandscaperiverbuildingslandscapefiguretreessky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and broken color techniques to create a sense of light and distance. Students will also learn how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, focusing on the horizon line and placement of buildings and the figure.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light blue and white, allowing for variations in tone.
step 03
Establish the basic colors of the water, using horizontal strokes and reflections.
step 04
Paint the distant buildings and trees with muted colors, paying attention to atmospheric perspective.
step 05
Add the foreground elements, such as the grassy bank and the figure, with more saturated colors and details.
step 06
Use broken color techniques to create texture and visual interest in the grass and buildings.
step 07
Refine the details and values, adjusting the colors as needed to create a harmonious composition.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of light and depth.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · viridian green

Mix muted greens by combining yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and a touch of burnt sienna. Achieve atmospheric perspective by lightening and graying colors as they recede into the distance.

techniques

·broken color
·atmospheric perspective
·wet-on-dry layering
·scumbling
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
→Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in a flat and unrealistic appearance.
→Ignoring atmospheric perspective, making the distant elements appear too sharp and defined.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure, leading to a muddy and confusing composition.