plate no. 4325

The River

Raoul Dufy, 1905

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismlandscapelandscapebuildingstreeshillsskyvillage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using expressive brushstrokes to convey texture and form. It also encourages experimentation with color to create a vibrant and harmonious composition.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, hills, and trees, focusing on their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and background hills.
step 03
Add the colors for the buildings, using a mix of warm and cool tones to create depth.
step 04
Paint the trees and foliage, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest texture and form.
step 05
Add details such as windows, roofs, and branches, using a smaller brush.
step 06
Refine the colors and values, adjusting the tones to create a sense of light and shadow.
step 07
Add the fence in the foreground.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · sap green · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · titanium white

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue, adjust with white. Create browns and oranges by mixing burnt sienna with yellows and reds. Use white to lighten and soften colors.

techniques