plate no. 6820

Train on a High Bridge

Marjorie Acker Phillips, 1946

oilImpressionismlandscapelandscapetraintreesbuildingskysmoke

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in layering colors to create depth and capturing the essence of a scene with loose, expressive brushstrokes. Students will learn to simplify complex subjects 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
Sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, train, bridge, house, and major tree groupings.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-gray wash.
step 03
Establish the basic values of the landscape, using darker greens for the foreground and lighter greens for the background.
step 04
Paint the bridge with a warm brown tone, varying the color slightly to suggest form.
step 05
Add the train, focusing on its silhouette and the placement of the cars.
step 06
Develop the trees with layers of green, adding darker shadows and lighter highlights.
step 07
Paint the house with a light pink tone, adding details like the roof and door.
step 08
Add the smoke from the train using grays and browns, blending it into the sky.

color palette

primary · sap green · burnt umber · titanium white · cerulean blue

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · raw sienna

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows with touches of brown. Achieve the pink of the house by mixing red and white. Use burnt umber and white for the smoke.

techniques