plate no. 1007
Boulevard de la Madeleine
some experience helpful
This painting is great for practicing atmospheric perspective and capturing the feeling of a bustling city street. Students can learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and use loose brushstrokes to create texture and movement.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the perspective of the buildings and street.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the buildings, sky, and street using thin washes.
- step 03
Add the larger details of the buildings, such as windows and architectural features.
- step 04
Paint the figures and carriages, focusing on capturing their movement and gestures with quick brushstrokes.
- step 05
Add the trees and foliage, using a variety of greens and browns to create depth and texture.
- step 06
Refine the details of the street, including reflections and puddles.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create contrast and dimension.
- step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue
secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · sap green
Mix various shades of gray for the buildings and sky by combining white, blue, and umber. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber to create warm tones for the street and buildings. Add small amounts of crimson and blue to darken the shadows.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
- →Failing to establish a strong sense of perspective.
- →Using colors that are too saturated and bright.
- →Ignoring the importance of value contrast in creating depth.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-grain canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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