plate no. 2088

The Seine at Chatou

Maurice de Vlaminck, 1908

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismcityscaperiversailboatbuildingstreesskyreflection

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing reflections in water and using expressive brushstrokes to create texture and movement. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the riverbank, buildings, trees, and sailboat.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of blues and whites, focusing on the cloud formations.
step 03
Establish the basic colors of the water, using horizontal strokes to suggest movement.
step 04
Paint the buildings with simplified shapes and warm tones, adding reflections in the water.
step 05
Add the dark masses of the trees on the right side, using thick, expressive brushstrokes.
step 06
Paint the sailboat, paying attention to the shape of the sail and its reflection.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create depth and interest.
step 08
Add final touches to the reflections, ensuring they align with the objects above.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium red light · sap green

Mix blues and whites for the sky and water, adding touches of yellow ochre and burnt umber to create variations in tone. Use cadmium red light and white for the sailboat accents.

techniques