plate no. 6595

The Turn in the Road at Auvers

oil, canvasImpressionismcityscapebuildingslandscapetreesroadskyhouses

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and forms. It also provides practice in capturing the impressionistic style through visible brushstrokes and broken color.

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 houses, road, and trees, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin layer of light blue and white, blending softly.
step 03
Establish the main color masses of the houses using a mix of ochre, white, and touches of red and brown.
step 04
Paint the road with a base of yellow ochre, then add variations of green, blue, and brown to create texture and depth.
step 05
Add the trees, using dark browns and greens, and suggest the foliage with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the details of the houses, adding shadows and highlights to define their forms.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values throughout the painting to create a sense of harmony and balance.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to capture the impressionistic feel.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · raw umber

Mix various shades of ochre with white and small amounts of blue or brown for the buildings and road. Achieve the sky by mixing white with a touch of blue and yellow.

techniques