plate no. 7950

Boston Street Scene (Boston Common)

oilTonalismcityscapecityscapebuildingsstreettreescarriagesfigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the impression of a scene using loose brushwork and subtle color variations. It's a great exercise in understanding tonal values and creating a sense of depth.

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 and street, focusing on perspective.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of blue-gray, allowing some variation.
step 03
Establish the main value ranges for the buildings, using a mix of ochre, pink, and white.
step 04
Paint the street with horizontal strokes, varying the colors to suggest texture and depth.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features, using small, precise strokes.
step 06
Paint the trees and foliage with loose, broken brushstrokes, using greens, browns, and yellows.
step 07
Add the figures and carriages with quick, gestural strokes, suggesting movement and activity.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed to create a cohesive and atmospheric scene.