plate no. 0793

Woods by the Oise River

Gustave Loiseau, 1919

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapetreesriverlandscapefiguresskypath

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as capturing the atmospheric perspective of a landscape. It also provides practice in rendering the complex forms of trees with simplified brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, indicating the horizon line, river, and major tree masses.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blues, yellows, and whites, blending softly.
step 03
Establish the dark values of the trees on the right side, using browns and blacks.
step 04
Add the mid-tones and highlights to the trees, using warmer browns, oranges, and yellows.
step 05
Paint the river with a mix of blues, grays, and browns, reflecting the sky and surrounding foliage.
step 06
Add the path and foreground details, using earth tones and greens.
step 07
Indicate the figures with simple shapes and dark colors.
step 08
Refine the details and add final touches to create texture and depth.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium orange · sap green · ivory black

Mix browns with blues and oranges to create the various shades of the trees and ground. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights, and mix blues and yellows for the sky and water.

techniques