plate no. 0395

Queensboro Bridge

Ernest Lawson, 1909

oilImpressionismcityscapebridgewaterboatscityscapebuildingsfigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impressionistic brushwork and capturing atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the bridge, boats, and buildings, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the overall composition.
step 03
Block in the large areas of color with thin washes, starting with the sky and water.
step 04
Build up layers of paint, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and suggest detail.
step 05
Mix colors directly on the canvas to achieve subtle variations and optical blending.
step 06
Pay attention to the reflections in the water, using vertical strokes to mimic the movement of the water.
step 07
Add details to the boats and figures, keeping them loose and suggestive.
step 08
Refine the values and colors, adjusting the overall balance of the painting.