plate no. 1368

Cafe of the Courts, Dieppe

oilImpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingsstreetfigurescafesign

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the impression of a bustling street scene with loose brushwork. It's a good exercise in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and perspective lines of the buildings and street.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the buildings, street, and sky, focusing on value relationships.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features, using small brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the figures in the street with quick, gestural strokes.
step 06
Refine the details of the cafe and sign, paying attention to the lettering and ornamentation.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the color palette and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and white. Use small amounts of cadmium red for warmer tones and ivory black for cooler tones.

techniques