plate no. 6081

Washline, Little Bridge

John Bratby, 1989

oilExpressionismcityscapebuildingscityscapesnowfigurebridgewashline

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise details. It also encourages experimentation with color mixing to achieve a range of hues and tones.

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 and composition, focusing on the buildings, bridge, and the wash line.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the buildings using broad brushstrokes.
step 03
Add darker values to create depth and shadows within the buildings and the surrounding structures.
step 04
Paint the snow-covered ground with varied whites and blues, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest texture.
step 05
Create the wash line with flowing lines of green and brown, adding details like the clothes pins.
step 06
Introduce the figures, keeping them simple and stylized.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall balance and color harmony.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · sap green · cadmium red

Mix white with blues and browns to create the various shades of snow. Use combinations of red, yellow, and brown to achieve the building colors. Add small amounts of green to darken the blues and browns.

techniques