plate no. 9411

Belvedere, Bath

Walter Sickert, 1917

oilImpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingsstreethorse-drawn carriageskytrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing atmospheric perspective and simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values. It also provides practice in using visible brushstrokes to create texture and form.

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 of the buildings, street, and carriage, focusing on proportions and perspective.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, leaving space for clouds.
step 03
Establish the main value masses for the buildings and street using a limited palette of grays and browns.
step 04
Add darker values to define shadows and architectural details.
step 05
Introduce hints of color to the buildings and foliage, keeping the overall palette muted.
step 06
Paint the horse and carriage, simplifying the forms and focusing on the overall shape and value.
step 07
Add details with visible brushstrokes to create texture and interest.
step 08
Refine the composition and adjust values as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · gray · light blue · brown

secondary · yellow ochre · dark green · purple

Achieve the muted colors by mixing complementary colors (e.g., blue and orange, green and red) to create grays and browns. Use white to lighten values and add a touch of blue to cool down the grays.

techniques