plate no. 6140
A Street in the Hassonayn Quarter, Cairo
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting light and shadow on complex architectural forms, as well as capturing the atmosphere of a busy street scene. It also encourages practice in painting figures in a variety of poses and clothing.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the basic perspective and placement of buildings and figures.
- step 02
Block in the large shapes of the buildings with thin washes of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
- step 03
Establish the darkest shadows and brightest highlights to create a sense of depth and form.
- step 04
Begin adding details to the buildings, such as windows, doors, and architectural ornaments.
- step 05
Paint the figures in the street, paying attention to their proportions and poses.
- step 06
Refine the details of the figures, adding clothing, faces, and other features.
- step 07
Add final touches to the painting, such as highlights and shadows, to create a sense of realism.
- step 08
Glaze to unify the painting and adjust values.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · ivory black
Mix various shades of browns and yellows by combining yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and raw umber. Use ultramarine blue and cadmium red to create muted purples and grays for shadows. Add titanium white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Getting the perspective wrong can ruin the sense of depth.
- →Overworking the details can make the painting look stiff and unnatural.
- →Not paying attention to the values can result in a flat and lifeless painting.
- →Using colors that are too saturated can make the painting look garish.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g. Liquin)
- ·easel
- ·odorless mineral spirits
A medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) is recommended for this project. Use high-quality oil paints for best results.
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