plate no. 6679

Marie Gallén at the Kuhmoniemi-bridge

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfigurewaterskysunsetbridgelandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing atmospheric perspective and rendering light reflections on water. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and using expressive brushstrokes.

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, figure placement, and bridge structure.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes, capturing the sunset colors (yellows, oranges, pinks).
step 03
Establish the water's base color, then add horizontal strokes to suggest reflections of the sky.
step 04
Paint the distant trees as a dark mass, simplifying the details.
step 05
Block in the figure's dark jacket and light dress, focusing on the overall shapes.
step 06
Add details to the bridge structure, using short, broken strokes to create texture.
step 07
Refine the figure's form and add subtle highlights to the dress and hat.
step 08
Add final touches to the sky and water, adjusting colors and values as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson

secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · cadmium yellow

Mix pinks for the water and sky by blending white with alizarin crimson. Create oranges and yellows for the sunset using cadmium yellow, yellow ochre, and touches of alizarin crimson. Use burnt umber and ultramarine blue to create darks for the figure and trees.

techniques