plate no. 5187

Mill on the Marn, Creteil

Auguste Herbin, 1911

oilCubismlandscapebuildingsarcheswaterskytreeslandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand simplified forms and color blocking to represent a complex scene. It also provides practice in mixing muted tones and creating texture with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition of the buildings, arches, and landscape elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color using simplified shapes, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Mix the various shades of gray and brown needed for the buildings and sky.
step 04
Add the darker accents and shadows to define the forms and create depth.
step 05
Introduce the secondary colors like green and red in the landscape and architectural details.
step 06
Use short, visible brushstrokes to create texture and add interest to the surfaces.
step 07
Refine the details and edges, paying attention to the relationships between shapes.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of light and form.

color palette

primary · gray · brown · white

secondary · green · red · blue

Achieve the grays by mixing black and white with small amounts of brown or blue. Mute the greens and reds by adding a touch of their complementary colors.

techniques