plate no. 6881

Boulevard et la Porte St.Denis

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingsstreetfigurestreesreflections

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing atmospheric perspective and rendering reflections on wet surfaces. It also provides practice in depicting figures and architectural details with loose, impressionistic brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of buildings and the main figures.
step 02
Establish the sky and the overall color temperature of the painting with thin washes.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the buildings, using a limited palette of browns, grays, and creams.
step 04
Add the darker values to define the architectural details and create depth.
step 05
Paint the figures with quick, gestural brushstrokes, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 06
Capture the reflections on the wet street using horizontal strokes and slightly desaturated colors.
step 07
Add highlights and details to the buildings, figures, and reflections to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed to achieve a cohesive and harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium yellow · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of gray by combining ultramarine blue, raw umber, and titanium white. Use burnt sienna and cadmium yellow for warm highlights and reflections. Add alizarin crimson for the red accents.

techniques