plate no. 8388

Road Crucifix on the Bridge over the River Loire in Beaugency, France

Lili Elbe, 1924

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapeskycloudsrivercrosslandscapetrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values. It also provides practice in rendering a variety of textures, from the smooth sky to the rough stonework.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the cross, river, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of blue and white, suggesting cloud formations.
step 03
Establish the basic colors of the landscape, using greens and browns for the fields and trees.
step 04
Paint the river, reflecting the colors of the sky and landscape.
step 05
Add the cross, paying attention to its form and the details of the figure.
step 06
Refine the details of the landscape, adding texture and depth.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create dimension.
step 08
Review and adjust the painting, ensuring that the colors and values are balanced.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium green · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and cerulean blue. Create variations in the sky by adding small amounts of alizarin crimson or raw umber to the blue and white mixture.

techniques