plate no. 9395

Building under Construction in Monte Carlo

Lovis Corinth, 1914

oilImpressionismcityscapebuildingscityscapeconstructiontreesfiguressky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose, expressive brushwork and capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise details. It also encourages exploration of color mixing to achieve nuanced tones.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of buildings and the tree.
step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the buildings, sky, and ground using thin washes.
step 03
Begin building up layers of paint, using thicker brushstrokes to define forms and create texture.
step 04
Focus on capturing the light and shadow patterns on the buildings and ground.
step 05
Add details to the tree, using short, broken brushstrokes to represent foliage.
step 06
Introduce figures and construction elements with quick, gestural marks.
step 07
Refine the color palette and value contrasts to create depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to enhance the overall impression.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · raw umber

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining the primary colors. Use white to lighten values and create highlights. Achieve the green foliage by mixing blue and yellow ochre with a touch of burnt sienna.

techniques