plate no. 2306

Blue roofs of Rouen

oil, canvasImpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingshillskytreesfigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing for atmospheric perspective and layering brushstrokes to create texture and form. It's a good exercise in capturing the overall impression of a scene rather than precise details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of the main buildings and the large tree.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and whites, using loose, horizontal brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the overall color tones for the hill and the buildings, using thin washes of color.
step 04
Begin layering colors to define the shapes of the buildings, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the foreground, including the figures and the foliage, using smaller brushstrokes.
step 06
Create texture by applying paint with short, broken brushstrokes, especially in the foliage and the ground.
step 07
Refine the details of the tree branches, using a fine brush and dark colors.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the depth and dimension of the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green

Mix various shades of blue and white for the sky. Combine yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white for the buildings. Use small amounts of red and green to create variations in the earth tones.

techniques