plate no. 0277

Alleyway of Formia

Antonio Sicurezza, 1956

oil, panelPost-Impressionismcityscapealleywayarchitecturearchesbuildingsfigurescityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to use light and shadow to create depth and form, and how to simplify complex architectural details into basic shapes. It will also provide practice in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in tone.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and perspective lines of the alleyway, focusing on the arches and buildings.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the darkest shadows and lightest highlights.
step 03
Begin refining the shapes of the buildings and arches, paying attention to the angles and proportions.
step 04
Mix and apply the various shades of gray, yellow, and brown to create the textures of the stone and plaster.
step 05
Add details such as the figures, the balcony, and the merchandise in the shop.
step 06
Refine the shadows and highlights to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · raw umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light · viridian

Mix various shades of gray by combining white, raw umber, and ultramarine blue. Use yellow ochre and white for the sunlit areas, and burnt sienna for the warmer tones.

techniques

·blocking in
·broken color
·scumbling
·layering
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Getting the perspective wrong, which can make the painting look flat and distorted.
→Overworking the details, which can make the painting look too busy and cluttered.
→Failing to create enough contrast between the light and shadow areas.
→Using colors that are too saturated, which can make the painting look unnatural.