plate no. 0861

Booksellers along the Seine

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapecityscapefiguresbuildingstreesstreetbooksellers

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting atmospheric perspective and capturing the impression of light and movement through broken color and visible brushstrokes. Students will also learn to simplify complex architectural details and figures into essential forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings, figures, and booksellers' stalls.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of diluted paint, paying attention to the light source and shadows.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the sky, buildings, and ground, using broad strokes.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, simplifying the architectural elements and focusing on the overall shape.
step 05
Paint the figures, using quick, expressive brushstrokes to suggest movement and form.
step 06
Develop the booksellers' stalls, adding details to the books and structures.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension, paying attention to the light reflecting off the wet pavement.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · payne's gray

Mix various shades of gray and blue for the sky and buildings. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber for the ground and trees, adding touches of cadmium red for warmth. Create muted greens by mixing yellow ochre and ultramarine blue.

techniques