plate no. 4441

Calleja Florentina

oilNaturalismcityscapecityscapearchitecturearchwaybuildingfigurestreet

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating depth through atmospheric perspective and capturing the texture of aged buildings with varied brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex architectural details.

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: the archway, buildings, and figure.
step 02
Establish the darkest and lightest values to create a tonal map.
step 03
Block in the main color areas for the buildings and archway, focusing on the overall color harmony.
step 04
Begin layering in details, such as windows, doors, and architectural features, using smaller brushes.
step 05
Add texture to the buildings by applying paint with visible brushstrokes and varying the thickness of the paint.
step 06
Soften edges and blend colors to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.
step 07
Refine the details of the figure, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · yellow ochre · payne's gray · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, burnt sienna, and titanium white. Use yellow ochre and cadmium red light for subtle highlights and warmth.

techniques

·dry brushing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·broken color
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic feel.
→Creating too much contrast and making the painting look harsh.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.
→Not varying brushstrokes enough to create texture.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (raw umber, titanium white, burnt sienna, yellow ochre, payne's gray)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife