plate no. 4423

Pont St. Michel

Lajos Tihanyi, 1908

oilExpressionismcityscapebridgeriverbuildingscityscapefigurestrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using expressive brushstrokes to convey mood and texture. It also encourages experimentation with color and non-traditional color palettes.

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: the bridge, river, buildings, and figures, focusing on their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the sky, water, bridge, and buildings using thin washes.
step 03
Start building up the colors in layers, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
step 04
Add details to the buildings and figures, simplifying their forms and using bold colors.
step 05
Define the edges of the shapes with darker colors to create contrast and depth.
step 06
Add highlights to the bridge and buildings to create a sense of light and shadow.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed.
step 08
Add the artist's signature in the bottom right corner.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · titanium white

Mix ultramarine blue and white for the sky and water. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the bridge and buildings. Mix small amounts of red, green, and blue to create the darker tones.

techniques