plate no. 2219

The Seine and the Eiffel Tower in the Sunset

Henri Rousseau, 1910

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)cityscapeEiffel TowerSeine Riversunsetbridgetreesfigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as simplifying complex structures into basic shapes. It's also a great exercise in understanding and applying naive art principles.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the Eiffel Tower, bridge, and river.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and yellows, creating a sunset effect.
step 03
Add the dark clouds using grays and browns, blending edges softly.
step 04
Paint the Eiffel Tower with brown and ochre tones, simplifying the structure.
step 05
Fill in the trees and foliage with various shades of green, yellow, and brown.
step 06
Paint the bridge with gray and beige tones, adding shadows to create depth.
step 07
Add the river with reflections of the sky and bridge, using horizontal brushstrokes.
step 08
Include the figures and boats, simplifying their forms and adding minimal details.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · cadmium red · sap green · raw sienna

Mix various shades of green by combining yellow ochre, Prussian blue, and a touch of white. Achieve sunset colors by blending cadmium yellow, cadmium red, and white.

techniques