plate no. 5259

San Martin bridge, Toledo

Rubén de Luis, 2020

oilImpressionismlandscapebridgeriverbuildingsskytreeslandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to depict distance. The painting also offers practice in rendering architectural forms and reflections in water.

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 bridge, river, and main architectural elements.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blue, adding soft white clouds.
step 03
Establish the base colors for the bridge and buildings using a mix of ochre, umber, and white.
step 04
Paint the river with varying shades of blue and green, reflecting the sky and surrounding foliage.
step 05
Add the greenery on the riverbanks and hillsides, using different shades of green and brown.
step 06
Develop the details of the bridge and buildings, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 07
Refine the reflections in the water, using broken brushstrokes to create a sense of movement.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · sap green · raw sienna

Mix ochre, umber, and white for the bridge and buildings. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, and add green for the river. Mix different shades of green and brown for the foliage.

techniques

·layering
·dry brushing
·broken color
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, losing the impressionistic feel.
→Making the colors too saturated, resulting in an unrealistic appearance.
→Ignoring the atmospheric perspective, causing the background to appear flat.
→Not capturing the reflections accurately, making the water look unnatural.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, sap green, raw sienna)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·rags