plate no. 9767

River Running through the Forest

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)landscaperivertreesfiguresfoliageskylily pads

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and practicing perspective to depict the receding river. Students will also learn to simplify complex forms like trees and foliage into basic shapes.

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 river's perspective and the placement of trees and figures.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, blending it slightly towards the horizon.
step 03
Establish the dark masses of the trees and foliage using a mix of dark greens and browns.
step 04
Paint the river with varying shades of blue and green, adding reflections and highlights.
step 05
Add the lily pads with dark green and touches of yellow for the flowers.
step 06
Paint the figures on the riverbank, simplifying their forms and using muted colors.
step 07
Refine the details of the trees, adding branches and leaves with small brushstrokes.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · dark green · blue · brown · white

secondary · yellow · light green · grey

Mix dark greens by combining blue and brown with a touch of yellow. Achieve lighter greens by adding white or yellow to the dark green. Vary the blues for the river by adding white or a touch of green.

techniques