plate no. 2079

The Banks of the Seine at Neuilly

oil, canvasPointillismlandscaperivertreesskylamppostpathbridge

experienced study

Recreating this painting will develop skills in color mixing, pointillism technique, and understanding atmospheric perspective. Students will learn to build up an image using small dots of color to create optical blending.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, including the river, trees, lamppost, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by applying a thin wash of diluted paint to the canvas.
step 03
Begin applying small dots of color to the sky, focusing on variations in hue and value to create depth.
step 04
Work on the trees and foliage, using different shades of green and yellow to create texture and form.
step 05
Paint the river, using blues, greens, and grays to capture the reflections and movement of the water.
step 06
Add the lamppost and path, paying attention to the details and shadows.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments to the colors and values.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · sap green · cadmium yellow

Achieve the subtle color variations by mixing small amounts of complementary colors. Use white to lighten the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

techniques