plate no. 8737

A View of the Montelbaanstoren Amsterdam

Cornelis Vreedenburgh, 1925

oil, canvasImpressionismcityscapetowerbuildingswaterboatsskycityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing reflections in water. It also offers practice in rendering architectural details with loose, impressionistic brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the tower, buildings, and water line.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of blues and yellows, blending softly.
step 03
Block in the basic colors of the buildings and tower using a mid-tone brown as a base.
step 04
Add darker values to create shadows and define architectural details.
step 05
Paint the water with horizontal strokes, capturing the reflections of the buildings and boats.
step 06
Add highlights to the water and buildings to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
step 07
Refine the details of the tower and buildings, paying attention to perspective.
step 08
Add final touches, such as figures and small boats, to complete the scene.

color palette

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

secondary · raw umber · cadmium red light · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown by combining burnt sienna, raw umber, and a touch of blue or black. Achieve the sky color by mixing ultramarine blue and yellow ochre, adding white for lighter tones. Use cadmium red light to add warmth to the buildings.

techniques