plate no. 1325

Boulevard des Capucines

oilImpressionismcityscapecityscapesnowbuildingsfiguresstreethorse carriage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective, color mixing for subtle variations in light and shadow, and capturing movement with loose brushstrokes. It also provides practice in rendering complex architectural details in a simplified, impressionistic style.

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 perspective of the street and the placement of major buildings.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of neutral tones, paying attention to the light source.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the buildings, using a limited palette of warm and cool grays.
step 04
Add the figures and horse-drawn carriage, simplifying their forms and focusing on their silhouettes.
step 05
Apply thicker paint to the foreground elements, adding details and texture to the snow-covered street.
step 06
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create the impression of snow on the trees and buildings.
step 07
Introduce pops of color to the figures and shop windows to add visual interest.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of gray by combining white, raw umber, and small amounts of blue or red. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to create the warm tones of the buildings and streetlights. Add white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·alla prima
·impasto

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Making the figures too detailed and distracting from the overall scene.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, raw umber, yellow ochre, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, burnt sienna)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags