plate no. 7663

The yellow bridge at Ceret

Auguste Herbin, 1913

oilCubismlandscapebridgelandscapebuildingstreeshillsarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand geometric abstraction and how to break down complex scenes into simpler shapes and planes. It also provides practice in color mixing and applying paint in distinct, visible strokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main geometric shapes and lines of the composition, focusing on the overall structure.
step 02
Identify the dominant color areas (greens, reds, yellows, blues) and block them in with thin washes.
step 03
Begin to refine the shapes and planes, adding darker and lighter values to create depth and form.
step 04
Introduce secondary colors and details, paying attention to the relationships between adjacent shapes.
step 05
Add texture and visible brushstrokes to enhance the cubist effect.
step 06
Refine edges and adjust values to create a cohesive and balanced composition.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to emphasize key areas.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall impact, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · sap green · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt sienna · ivory black · titanium white

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and adjust the hue with small amounts of red or brown. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Achieve darker values by adding black or burnt umber to the primary colors.

techniques

·geometric abstraction
·color blocking
·visible brushstrokes
·planar analysis
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overcomplicating the initial sketch with too many details.
→Blending colors too much, losing the distinct planar effect.
→Ignoring the relationships between adjacent shapes and colors.
→Not paying attention to value contrasts, resulting in a flat image.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brushes (various sizes)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
·mineral spirits or turpentine (for cleaning brushes)

optional

·painting medium
·easel
·rags

Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the visibility of brushstrokes. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly due to their fast drying time, while oils offer richer colors and blending capabilities.

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