plate no. 4032

Riverside banks

Hélène Guinepied, 1925

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)landscapetreeswaterlandscaperiverfoliagebranches

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering washes and creating texture with dry brush techniques. It also provides practice in observing and rendering complex organic forms like trees and foliage.

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 of the trees and the horizon line.
step 02
Apply a light wash of yellow ochre mixed with a touch of brown for the water and sky areas.
step 03
Add a second wash, slightly darker, to define the shadows in the water and sky.
step 04
Begin painting the trees with a mix of burnt umber and black, building up the dark tones in layers.
step 05
Use dry brush techniques to create texture on the tree bark and foliage.
step 06
Add details like branches and leaves with a fine brush.
step 07
Paint the reflections in the water with light, horizontal strokes.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the depth and realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · black

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Mix burnt umber and black for the dark tree trunks. Use yellow ochre with a touch of brown for the water and sky. Add ultramarine blue to the sky wash for a cooler tone.

techniques