plate no. 9405

Lights on the Riverside

Bertalan Por, 1909

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapetreeswaterlandscapefoliagereflectionriverbank

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and using visible brushstrokes to build texture. It also provides practice in capturing light and shadow in a natural setting.

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 placement of the trees and the waterline.
step 02
Block in the large shapes of color for the trees, water, and background.
step 03
Begin layering different shades of green and yellow to create the foliage, paying attention to the light.
step 04
Add darker values to create shadows and depth within the trees.
step 05
Develop the water by layering blues, greens, and yellows to suggest reflections.
step 06
Refine the details of the tree trunks and branches.
step 07
Add highlights to the water and foliage to enhance the sense of light.
step 08
Make final adjustments to values and colors to achieve a harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · sap green · lemon yellow · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium yellow

Mix greens by blending blues and yellows. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Burnt umber can be used to darken greens and create shadows.

techniques