plate no. 7208

Riviergezicht Met Pellekussenpoort Te Utrecht

oilBaroquelandscaperiverboatsbuildingskytreesfigures

some experience helpful

This painting provides a good opportunity to practice atmospheric perspective and capturing reflections in water. Students can also learn to simplify complex shapes like trees and buildings into basic forms.

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 placement of the tower, boats, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and grays, blending softly.
step 03
Establish the basic colors of the water, using horizontal strokes and varying the values to suggest depth.
step 04
Paint the tower using a mix of browns and ochres, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Add the trees and foliage, using broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Paint the boats and figures, simplifying the details.
step 07
Add reflections in the water, mirroring the colors and shapes above.
step 08
Refine details and adjust values to create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · payne's gray

Mix blues and whites for the sky, adding a touch of yellow ochre for warmth. Use raw umber and burnt sienna for the tower and foliage, mixing with white to create lighter tones. Create the water color by mixing blues, browns, and whites, adjusting the proportions to achieve the desired depth and tone.

techniques