plate no. 3794

A Provençal Fountain

oilImpressionismcityscapefountainfiguretreesbuildingsstreetpigeons

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating atmospheric perspective and rendering complex textures with visible brushstrokes. It's also a good exercise in capturing the effects of light and shadow on various surfaces.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the basic composition and placement of the fountain, figure, and buildings.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors using thin washes of paint, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Develop the fountain, paying attention to the details of the stonework and the flow of water.
step 04
Add the figure, focusing on capturing the pose and drapery.
step 05
Paint the background buildings and trees, using softer edges and less detail to create depth.
step 06
Add the pigeons and other details in the foreground.
step 07
Refine the lighting and shadows throughout the painting.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · sap green

Achieve the warm, earthy tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and yellow ochre with varying amounts of white. Use ultramarine blue and alizarin crimson to create cooler shadows and grays. Add small amounts of sap green to create natural greens.

techniques