plate no. 8828

Amsterdam

Anna Ostroumova-Lebedeva, 1913

woodcutPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingscanalboatscityscapewaterarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective, tonal values, and capturing reflections in water. It also provides practice in rendering architectural details with simplified brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and perspective lines of the buildings, canal, and boats.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and vanishing point to guide the perspective.
step 03
Apply a light wash of diluted brown or ochre to the sky and areas of the canal that reflect the sky.
step 04
Begin layering darker tones of brown and umber to define the buildings, starting with the shadows.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features, using a fine brush.
step 06
Paint the reflections in the canal, paying attention to the distortion and movement of the water.
step 07
Add the boats, using darker tones to create depth and form.
step 08
Refine the details and add highlights to create contrast and visual interest.