plate no. 6597

A Glimpse of Notre-Dame in the Late Afternoon

Henri Matisse, 1902

oilFauvismcityscapecityscapeNotre-Dameriverbuildingsfiguresbridge

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand color temperature and how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and color blocks. It also encourages expressive brushwork and capturing a sense of light and atmosphere.

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: Notre-Dame, the buildings, the river, and the bridge.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, allowing for variations in tone.
step 03
Establish the main color blocks for the buildings and Notre-Dame using purples and blues.
step 04
Paint the river with varying shades of blue and green, reflecting the sky and surrounding structures.
step 05
Add the bridge and the embankment, paying attention to the perspective.
step 06
Introduce the figures on the bridge and along the riverbank with simple strokes.
step 07
Refine the details of Notre-Dame and the buildings, focusing on capturing the essence rather than precise accuracy.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall impression of light and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · cerulean blue · purple · raw umber

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · white

Mix blues and purples with white to create lighter tones for the sky and buildings. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to add warmth to the buildings and the embankment. Mix blue and raw umber for darker areas.

techniques