plate no. 2304

Turf Barge at Leeson Street Bridge

oilImpressionismlandscapewaterboatbridgebuildingstreesreflection

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing reflections in water and simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values. It also provides practice in using loose brushwork to create texture and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the boat, bridge, and buildings.
step 02
Block in the sky and water with thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the dark values of the boat and the shadows under the bridge.
step 04
Add the mid-tones to the buildings and the reflections in the water.
step 05
Develop the details of the trees and foliage using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the reflections, paying attention to the shapes and values.
step 07
Add highlights to the water and the buildings to create a sense of light.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · Prussian blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining raw umber, white, and small amounts of blue or yellow. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to create the warm tones of the buildings.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·broken color
·scumbling
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Making the reflections too literal and not simplified enough.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too saturated.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 12x16
·Oil paints: raw umber, titanium white, Prussian blue, yellow ochre, burnt sienna
·Round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 8)
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Palette
·Rags