plate no. 9719
The Leguenay Bridge
Maxime Maufra, 1894
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations and practice layering brushstrokes to create texture and depth.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the bridge, buildings, and tower.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light blues, yellows, and purples.
- step 03
Establish the main colors of the buildings, using yellows, oranges, and reds.
- step 04
Paint the bridge with dark browns and blacks, reflecting light on the arches.
- step 05
Add the water, using blues, purples, and reflections of the buildings.
- step 06
Paint the trees with thin branches and subtle color variations.
- step 07
Refine details and add highlights to the buildings and water.
- step 08
Add final touches to the sky and reflections.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue
secondary · cadmium red · titanium white · violet
Mix yellow ochre and white for the buildings, burnt sienna and cadmium red for the roofs, and ultramarine blue with white and violet for the sky and water.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·scumbling
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·color layering
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Ignoring the reflections in the water.
- →Making the brushstrokes too uniform.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·mineral spirits
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
- ·varnish
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the brushstroke visibility. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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