plate no. 1064

Boulevard des Capucines et Madeleine

oilImpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingsstreetfigurestreessky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork, color mixing for atmospheric perspective, and capturing the impression of light and movement in a cityscape. It also encourages simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and perspective lines of the buildings and street.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of blues and grays.
step 03
Establish the basic values of the buildings, using warmer tones for the lit areas and cooler tones for the shadows.
step 04
Add the trees and foliage with loose, broken brushstrokes, varying the colors to create depth.
step 05
Paint the figures with simple shapes and minimal detail, focusing on their silhouettes and movement.
step 06
Add reflections on the wet street using horizontal strokes and slightly darker values.
step 07
Introduce highlights and details to the buildings and figures to create focal points.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and adjust values as needed to create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · raw sienna

Mix various shades of gray by combining ultramarine blue, burnt umber, and white. Use yellow ochre and white for the warm tones of the buildings. Add small amounts of cadmium red to create warmer browns and oranges.

techniques