plate no. 7489

Women on the Bridge

Edvard Munch, 1902

oil, canvasExpressionismgenre paintingfiguresbridgewaterbuildingstreessky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes and capturing mood through color and brushwork. It also provides practice in painting figures in a stylized manner.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the bridge.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, water, bridge, and the dresses of the figures.
step 03
Develop the color variations within each area, paying attention to the subtle shifts in tone.
step 04
Add details to the figures, such as the faces and the folds in the dresses.
step 05
Refine the brushwork, using visible strokes to create texture and movement.
step 06
Adjust the values to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final details and highlights.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · titanium white · viridian green

Mix various shades of blue for the main figure's dress. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber for the bridge and the ground. Mix white with other colors to create lighter tones and highlights.

techniques