plate no. 7371

The Bridge at Nogent

Maurice de Vlaminck, 1910

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismcityscapebridgewaterbuildingstreesskyreflection

some experience helpful

This painting is great for learning how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and using color to create depth and atmosphere. Students will practice layering colors and capturing reflections in water.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the bridge, buildings, and trees, focusing on their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, allowing for variations in tone.
step 03
Establish the dark greens and blues of the trees and water, paying attention to the reflections.
step 04
Add the lighter tones of the buildings and bridge supports, mixing yellows and whites.
step 05
Refine the shapes and details of the bridge structure, using darker blues and blacks.
step 06
Develop the reflections in the water, using broken brushstrokes and similar colors to the objects above.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Review and adjust the colors and values to achieve a harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · viridian green

secondary · titanium white · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, and vary the tones by adding white or burnt sienna. Achieve the water reflections by using slightly muted versions of the colors above.

techniques

·broken color
·wet-on-wet blending
·scumbling
·color layering
·simplified shapes

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the spontaneity of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to capture the correct proportions of the bridge and buildings.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not reflecting the muted tones of the water.
→Ignoring the importance of the negative space around the objects.