plate no. 3803

Moret-sur-Loing

Francis Picabia, 1901

oil, canvasImpressionismlandscaperivertreesskylandscapewatervegetation

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impressionistic brushwork and color mixing to capture the atmosphere of a landscape. It also provides practice in creating depth and reflections in water.

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 and the placement of the trees and riverbank.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and yellows, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the general color of the water, mixing blues, greens, and browns.
step 04
Paint the trees and foliage with various shades of green, using dabs and strokes to suggest leaves.
step 05
Add the riverbank with browns and yellows, reflecting the colors of the trees and sky.
step 06
Create reflections in the water by mirroring the colors and shapes of the objects above.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create depth and texture.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · sap green · raw umber

secondary · titanium white · cadmium yellow light · burnt sienna

Achieve the various greens by mixing sap green with yellow ochre and a touch of blue. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix browns and blues to create the darker tones in the water and vegetation.

techniques