plate no. 9417

The road

Andre Derain, 1932

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismlandscapelandscapetreesroadvillageskyfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and using visible brushstrokes to create texture and depth. It also provides an opportunity to explore color temperature and atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, including the road, trees, and distant village.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, road, fields, and tree masses.
step 03
Establish the darkest darks and lightest lights to define the value structure.
step 04
Begin adding details to the trees, focusing on the shapes of the leaves and branches.
step 05
Refine the shapes and colors of the buildings in the village, keeping them simple.
step 06
Add texture to the road and fields using visible brushstrokes.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and highlights.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · viridian green · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium yellow · raw sienna · alizarin crimson

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow. Create earth tones by mixing umber with yellow and red. Achieve the sky color by mixing blue with white and a touch of yellow.

techniques