plate no. 5061

The Railway at Bois Colombes

oil, canvasPointillismlandscapetreesfencebuildinglandscaperoadsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand color mixing for pointillism and how to build up an image using small dots of color. It will also develop patience and attention to detail.

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 trees, fence, road, and building.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the perspective of the road.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color with thin washes.
step 04
Begin applying small dots of color, starting with the sky and lightest areas.
step 05
Gradually build up layers of dots, using complementary colors to create depth and vibrancy.
step 06
Pay attention to the direction of light and shadow, adjusting the colors accordingly.
step 07
Refine the details of the trees, fence, and building.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · sap green · cadmium red · violet · raw umber

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Create variations in the sky by adding small amounts of violet or white to the blue. Use burnt sienna and raw umber for the tree trunks and fence.

techniques