plate no. 2443

A flower seller on les Grands Boulevards, Paris

oilRealismgenre paintingstreet sceneflowersfigurebuildingsParisshop

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting atmospheric perspective and rendering realistic figures in an urban environment. It also provides practice in capturing the texture and form of flowers.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings, figures, and flower stand.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and vanishing point to create perspective.
step 03
Block in the main shapes and values with thin washes of color.
step 04
Develop the background buildings using muted tones and soft edges to create depth.
step 05
Paint the figures, paying attention to their proportions and clothing details.
step 06
Focus on the flower stand, layering colors to create the variety and texture of the flowers.
step 07
Add details to the storefront and signage.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and adding highlights to create a sense of light and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ivory black · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow

Mix muted grays and browns for the buildings and street. Use alizarin crimson and white for pinks in the flowers. Mix greens with yellow ochre and ultramarine blue.

techniques