Wooded river landscape with a landing stage, boats, various figures and a village beyond

Begin with a light sketch outlining the major shapes: the river, the shoreline, the trees, and the general placement of boats and buildings.

Establish the sky with a gradient of light blue and yellow, blending smoothly.

Block in the large areas of color for the water, using a mix of blues, greens, and grays, paying attention to reflections.

Paint the distant trees and buildings with muted colors to create atmospheric perspective.

Add the larger boats, focusing on their shapes and values.

Begin adding figures, starting with the larger groups and gradually adding details to individual figures.

Paint the foreground trees with more detail, using a variety of greens and browns, and adding highlights to the leaves.

Add final details such as birds, ducks, and small boats, and refine the highlights and shadows throughout the painting.