plate no. 3306

The coast at Haute Isle

Auguste Herbin, 1906

oilImpressionismlandscapewatertreeslandscapereflectionhillsidevegetation

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in broken color techniques and capturing reflections in water using short, directional brushstrokes. It also encourages observation of subtle color variations within a scene.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, the outline of the hill, and the placement of the trees.
step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the sky, hill, water, and trees using thin washes.
step 03
Begin layering short, directional brushstrokes to build up the texture and color variations in the hillside.
step 04
Focus on capturing the reflections in the water by using similar colors to the landscape above, but with a slightly darker value and distorted shapes.
step 05
Add details to the trees, using thin lines and small dabs of color to suggest foliage.
step 06
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, paying attention to the interplay of light and shadow.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to enhance the sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · sap green · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson

secondary · violet · orange · raw sienna

Achieve the variety of greens by mixing yellow ochre and ultramarine blue with varying amounts of white. Create the purples and violets by mixing alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten the values and create highlights.

techniques

·broken color
·impasto
·scumbling
·wet-on-dry layering
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Ignoring the direction of light and shadow.
→Applying brushstrokes randomly without considering the form of the objects.
→Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the water.
→Losing the overall composition by focusing too much on small details.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes
·flat brushes
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil (if using oil paints)

optional

·painting medium
·easel
·rags
·odorless mineral spirits (for cleaning oil brushes)

Use a variety of brush sizes to create different textures and details. Consider using a palette knife to apply thicker layers of paint for impasto effects.

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