plate no. 4847

Bouquinistes de Notre Dame

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapecityscapefiguresbuildingstreesbooksstreet

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the impression of a busy street scene with loose brushwork. It also provides practice in mixing muted colors and creating a sense of depth.

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, including the Notre Dame cathedral, the book stalls, and the figures.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of diluted paint, focusing on the light and shadow areas.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the sky, buildings, and street, using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin adding details to the book stalls, using thicker paint and smaller brushes.
step 05
Paint the figures with loose, expressive brushstrokes, focusing on their silhouettes and gestures.
step 06
Add the trees and foliage, using a variety of greens, yellows, and browns.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add fallen leaves and reflections on the wet street to enhance the atmosphere.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · cadmium red light

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white. Use raw umber and ultramarine blue to create grays and blacks. Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the warm tones of the leaves and buildings.

techniques