plate no. 2272

Carnival on the Grands Boulevards

Raoul Dufy, 1903

oil, canvasImpressionismgenre paintingcityscapebuildingstreescrowdfiguresparade

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing movement and atmosphere using broken color and loose brushwork. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes and creating depth through color and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and the overall composition, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the sky, buildings, and ground using thin washes.
step 03
Begin adding details to the buildings, using broken color to suggest architectural features.
step 04
Block in the crowd using dark values and quick, gestural brushstrokes.
step 05
Introduce pops of color for the carnival elements, such as flags and costumes.
step 06
Develop the trees using a dry brush technique to create texture.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust values to create depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of light and movement.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · raw sienna

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining burnt umber, ultramarine blue, and white. Achieve the warm tones of the buildings by mixing yellow ochre, raw sienna, and a touch of cadmium red.

techniques

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

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the sense of spontaneity.
→Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.
→Ignoring the importance of atmospheric perspective.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, cadmium red, sap green, raw sienna)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette knife
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·rags