plate no. 7499

San Antonio River

Robert Julian Onderdonk, 1920

oilImpressionismlandscaperivertreesreflectionwater liliesfoliagesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in light and shadow, as well as layering techniques to create depth and texture in foliage and reflections.

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 horizon line and placement of major elements like trees and the river.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of yellow and orange hues.
step 03
Block in the dark masses of the trees and foliage using a mix of dark greens and browns.
step 04
Begin layering in lighter tones to define the shapes of the trees and create a sense of depth.
step 05
Paint the reflections in the water, paying attention to the distortion and color variations.
step 06
Add details such as the water lilies and small highlights to create visual interest.
step 07
Refine the edges and blend colors to create a soft, impressionistic effect.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · sap green · titanium white

secondary · cadmium orange · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson

Achieve the warm, golden tones by mixing yellow ochre with small amounts of cadmium orange and burnt umber. Create the dark greens by mixing sap green with ultramarine blue and burnt umber. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques