plate no. 3696

Trees on the Banks of the Seine

Andre Derain, 1913

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismlandscapetreesriverbuildingslandscapefoliagesky

some experience helpful

This painting offers a good opportunity to practice simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using color to define form. Students will also develop skills in layering paint and creating texture with visible brushstrokes.

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 trees, river, and buildings, focusing on the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the darkest values in the trees and shadows.
step 03
Gradually add lighter values to create form and dimension, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 04
Define the edges of the trees and buildings with bolder brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details to the river and foliage, using short, broken strokes to create texture.
step 06
Refine the colors and values, adjusting as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add the highlights to the water and buildings.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance of the painting, making any final adjustments.

color palette

primary · viridian green · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium orange · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and use white to lighten values. Create earth tones by mixing browns and oranges. Use complementary colors to neutralize or darken colors.

techniques