plate no. 0902
Repairing the Bridge
Robert Spencer, 1913
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting architectural forms with light and shadow, as well as capturing the texture of various surfaces using broken color and visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in depicting figures in a landscape setting.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: buildings, bridge, and water.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the basic perspective of the buildings.
- step 03
Block in the large areas of color: sky, water, and the general tone of the buildings.
- step 04
Add darker values to define shadows and create depth.
- step 05
Begin building up texture on the buildings and bridge with short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 06
Paint the figures, paying attention to their proportions and placement within the scene.
- step 07
Add details to the trees and foliage, using a variety of greens and yellows.
- step 08
Refine the reflections in the water and add final highlights.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue
secondary · cadmium yellow · burnt sienna · viridian
Mix various shades of beige and brown for the buildings by combining yellow ochre, raw umber, and white. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky and water, adding touches of yellow ochre for warmth. Create greens by mixing blue and yellow, adjusting the proportions for different shades of foliage.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·scumbling
- ·wet-on-dry layering
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the painting process.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing on the palette.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the shadows.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·oil paints (yellow ochre, raw umber, titanium white, ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow, burnt sienna, viridian)
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
- ·varnish
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for good paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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