plate no. 1182

The Green River

Robert Spencer, 1920

oilImpressionismcityscaperiverbuildingstreeswaterlandscapeboats

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in broken color techniques and capturing reflections in water. It also provides practice in creating depth through color and brushstroke variation.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, trees, and riverbank, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the general areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Begin blocking in the sky with a base color, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 04
Mix a range of greens and yellows for the trees and foliage, applying them with visible, textured strokes.
step 05
Create the reflections in the water by mirroring the colors and shapes of the buildings and trees, using horizontal strokes.
step 06
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and roof lines, with small, precise brushstrokes.
step 07
Paint the boats and foreground details, paying attention to their shapes and colors.
step 08
Refine the overall painting by adjusting colors, values, and brushstrokes to create a cohesive and harmonious image.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · sap green · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt sienna · titanium white · cadmium yellow

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten colors and create variations in value. Burnt sienna adds warmth and depth to shadows.

techniques

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

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Neglecting the importance of varied brushstrokes.
→Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the reflections.
→Making the buildings too detailed and losing the impressionistic feel.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, sap green, ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, titanium white, cadmium yellow)
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags