plate no. 1591

Brussels Town Hall

oilImpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingstowerskystreetarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and creating depth through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in rendering complex architectural details in a loose, 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 shapes of the buildings and the tower, focusing on proportions and perspective.
step 02
Establish the overall warm tone of the sky with a thin wash of yellow ochre and burnt sienna.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the buildings with darker values, using a mix of burnt umber, raw sienna, and a touch of blue.
step 04
Gradually build up the details of the buildings, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Use dry brush techniques to create texture on the buildings and the sky.
step 06
Add highlights to the buildings to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details of the tower, using a smaller brush to capture the intricate architectural elements.
step 08
Add subtle details to the street to suggest the presence of people and activity.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · burnt umber

secondary · raw sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors (e.g., burnt sienna and blue). Use white sparingly to avoid overly bright colors. The sky is a blend of yellow ochre and burnt sienna, with subtle variations created by adding small amounts of blue or white.

techniques

·dry brush
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·value studies
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Using too much white and creating overly bright colors.
→Failing to establish a strong sense of atmospheric perspective.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints: yellow ochre, burnt sienna, burnt umber, raw sienna, ultramarine blue, titanium white
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Linseed oil or other painting medium
·Odorless mineral spirits or turpentine
·Rags or paper towels

optional

·medium gloss
·retouch varnish
·easel

Use a canvas with a medium texture to enhance the dry brush effect. Consider using a toned canvas (e.g., a light ochre or umber) to establish a warm base tone.

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