plate no. 6079

Allen Street

George Luks, 1905

oil, canvasNew Realismgenre paintingstreet scenefiguresbuildingsmarketstairscarpets

experienced study

This painting provides practice in capturing a complex scene with loose brushwork and atmospheric perspective. Students will learn to simplify details and focus on capturing the overall impression of light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of major shapes and figures.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar neutral tone.
step 03
Block in the main color areas, paying attention to the relative warmth and coolness of different sections.
step 04
Develop the figures, simplifying details and focusing on capturing their gestures and poses.
step 05
Add details to the architectural elements, such as windows and stairs, using loose brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows, paying attention to the way light falls across the scene.
step 07
Add highlights and details to the foreground elements, such as the carpets and chairs.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · cadmium yellow · ultramarine blue · viridian

Achieve the muted tones by mixing the primary colors with each other and with white. Use small amounts of secondary colors to add subtle color variations.

techniques