plate no. 3720

Storm over a Bridge in Southern France

oilImpressionismlandscapebridgetreesskywaterlandscapeclouds

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing reflections in water. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

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, bridge placement, and major landforms.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes, establishing the dark storm clouds and lighter areas.
step 03
Establish the values of the distant mountains and hills, using lighter, cooler colors for atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Paint the land areas, focusing on the overall shapes and values before adding details.
step 05
Block in the bridge and its reflections in the water, paying attention to the shapes and angles.
step 06
Add the trees and other details, using varied brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Refine the reflections in the water, using broken brushstrokes and subtle color variations.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the depth and dimension of the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining ultramarine blue, burnt umber, and white. Use yellow ochre and white for the bridge and land. Add small amounts of cadmium yellow or alizarin crimson to warm up the colors.

techniques