plate no. 3868

The Seine

Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1902

oilImpressionismcityscaperiverbridgebuildingscityscapeboatssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the subtle color variations in light and shadow. It's a good exercise in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the bridge, buildings, and riverbank, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of yellow and light purple, blending the colors softly.
step 03
Establish the dark values of the bridge and buildings using a mix of dark blue and brown.
step 04
Paint the river with horizontal strokes, reflecting the colors of the sky and the bridge.
step 05
Add details to the boats and riverbank, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the highlights on the water and the edges of the buildings to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Soften edges and blend colors as needed to achieve a hazy, atmospheric effect.
step 08
Add final touches and details to the reflections in the water.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · titanium white · alizarin crimson

Mix yellow ochre and white for the sky and water. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber for the darker areas of the bridge and buildings. Add alizarin crimson to the dark mix for richer shadows.

techniques