plate no. 6266
Riverbank at Saint Mammes
Alfred Sisley, 1880
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, and in capturing reflections in water using broken brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition: horizon line, placement of buildings, riverbank, and boat.
- step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of light blue and gray, creating cloud shapes.
- step 03
Establish the base colors of the water, using varying shades of blue and green.
- step 04
Paint the distant buildings with simplified shapes and muted colors, reflecting in the water below.
- step 05
Add the riverbank vegetation with loose, vertical brushstrokes, using browns, greens, and yellows.
- step 06
Define the boat with darker tones and subtle highlights.
- step 07
Refine the reflections in the water, using broken brushstrokes and color variations.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to the buildings, vegetation, and water.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt umber · viridian green · cadmium yellow
Mix blues and whites for the sky and water. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber for the vegetation. Create muted tones by mixing complementary colors.
techniques
- ·broken brushstrokes
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details, losing the impressionistic feel.
- →Creating too much contrast, making the painting look harsh.
- →Not capturing the subtle color variations in the water and sky.
- →Making the reflections too literal and symmetrical.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·oil paints
- ·round brushes (#2, #6, #8)
- ·palette knife
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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