plate no. 3993
Rouen, View from the Queen's Way
Eugene Boudin, 1895
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the subtle reflections in water. It also provides practice in loose, impressionistic brushwork.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and placement of major elements.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-gray wash, allowing for variations in tone.
- step 03
Establish the dark masses of the trees on the left and the distant hills.
- step 04
Paint the water with horizontal strokes, capturing the reflections of the buildings and boats.
- step 05
Add the buildings and boats, using simplified shapes and colors.
- step 06
Introduce the figures along the riverbank, using small dabs of color.
- step 07
Refine the details, such as the masts of the boats and the architectural details of the buildings.
- step 08
Add final touches to the sky and water to create a sense of atmosphere.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · cadmium red light
Mix blues and umbers with white for the sky and water. Use ochre and sienna for the buildings, and red for the boats. Vary the proportions to create subtle color variations.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
- →Making the colors too saturated and unrealistic.
- →Failing to capture the subtle reflections in the water.
- →Ignoring the atmospheric perspective and making the distant objects too sharp.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·oil paints
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·#8 filbert brush
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a fast-drying medium to speed up the drying time.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
related guides
in this vein
