plate no. 3634

Atelier View (Bucharest Rooftops)

oilImpressionismcityscapecityscaperooftopsbuildingstreesskydomes

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork, color mixing for atmospheric perspective, and simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes. It's a good exercise in capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise details.

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 composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light blue and white.
step 03
Establish the main color masses of the rooftops, using a mix of reds, oranges, and browns.
step 04
Add the darker values of the buildings and domes, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Paint the trees and foliage with loose, gestural brushstrokes, using greens, yellows, and browns.
step 06
Refine the details of the buildings and domes, adding windows and architectural features.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Review and adjust the colors and values to achieve a harmonious composition.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · raw umber

Mix various shades of gray by combining ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, and white. Achieve the rooftop colors by blending cadmium red, burnt sienna, and yellow ochre. Use viridian green and yellow ochre for the foliage.

techniques

·broken color
·alla prima
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·color temperature

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them.
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast in creating depth.
→Failing to simplify the complex shapes of the buildings.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·titanium white oil paint
·yellow ochre oil paint
·burnt sienna oil paint
·ultramarine blue oil paint
·round brushes (various sizes)
·palette
·linseed oil

optional

·palette knife
·medium (e.g., Liquin)
·easel

Use a medium-textured canvas to allow for better paint adhesion and brushstroke visibility. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.

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