Barry Place by James Lesesne Wells

plate no. 7536

Barry Place

James Lesesne Wells, 1932

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfiguresstreetbuildingslamp postcityscapefence

some experience helpful

Recreating this artwork will help students understand the use of positive and negative space to create a strong composition. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

1

brushwork visibility

1

value contrast

5

compositional simplicity

3

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the basic composition and placement of key elements.
step 02
Transfer the sketch onto the painting surface.
step 03
Block in the large areas of black and white, focusing on the overall shapes.
step 04
Refine the shapes and add details to the figures, buildings, and lamp post.
step 05
Add texture to the ground and sky using short, deliberate strokes.
step 06
Pay attention to the direction of lines to create a sense of depth and perspective.
step 07
Review the overall balance and make any necessary adjustments.
step 08
Add final details and highlights.

color palette

primary · black · white

secondary ·

This artwork uses only black and white, so no color mixing is required.

techniques

·positive and negative space
·hatching
·cross-hatching
·simplification of forms

common pitfalls

→Overcomplicating the details
→Uneven distribution of black and white areas
→Ignoring the direction of lines
→Not planning the composition beforehand

materials

surface · stretched canvas or wood panel

required

·black acrylic paint
·white acrylic paint
·canvas or wood panel
·various sized brushes
·pencil
·eraser
·ruler

optional

·palette knife
·graphite paper
·varnish

A smooth surface is recommended for easier application of paint.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →

chat about this artwork

in this vein

related artworks

Dolly Sisters

Dolly Sisters

Kees van Dongen

Nude with Loaves

Nude with Loaves

Jean Helion

My Father

My Father

Carlos Botelho

Helen

Helen

Chronis Botsoglou

The portrait painter in the country

The portrait painter in the country

Albin Egger-Lienz

Marketta on Lázeňská street, Prague

Marketta on Lázeňská street, Prague

Maria Bozoky

Winter at the Entrepotdok, in Amsterdam city

Winter at the Entrepotdok, in Amsterdam city

Paul Werner

Old Woman with Masks (Theatre of Masks)

Old Woman with Masks (Theatre of Masks)

James Ensor