plate no. 5291

At Dusk

Eugène Jansson, 1902

oilSymbolismcityscapecityscapestreettreesbuildingsnightlight

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to create depth using value and color temperature, as well as how to suggest detail with expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the perspective of the street and the placement of the buildings and trees.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of dark blue, paying attention to the areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Begin adding layers of darker blues and blacks to the left wall and the foreground, using visible brushstrokes to create texture.
step 04
Mix lighter blues and grays to define the buildings on the right side, keeping the details soft and suggestive.
step 05
Add touches of green and lighter blue to the trees, using short, broken brushstrokes to create the foliage.
step 06
Create the glowing effect of the lights at the end of the street with yellows and whites, blending them softly into the surrounding blues.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the contrast and create a focal point.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Ultramarine Blue · Titanium White

secondary · Yellow Ochre · Burnt Umber · Payne's Gray

Mix different shades of blue by combining Prussian Blue and Ultramarine Blue with varying amounts of white. Use Yellow Ochre to create a muted green for the foliage. Payne's Gray can be used to darken the blues and create shadows.

techniques

·Impasto
·Dry brushing
·Scumbling
·Color layering
·Blending

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, resulting in a flat and uninteresting painting.
→Using too much white and creating a chalky effect.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations and creating a monotonous blue tone.