plate no. 6954
Case din Via Ripetta
Jean Alexandru Steriadi, 1921
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork and capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise details. It also provides practice in mixing subtle variations of earth tones.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and perspective of the buildings.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and then the buildings.
- step 03
Establish the darkest and lightest values to create a sense of depth.
- step 04
Add details such as windows, doors, and architectural elements with visible brushstrokes.
- step 05
Mix and apply subtle color variations to create texture and interest in the building facades.
- step 06
Indicate the figure with a few simple strokes, focusing on its overall shape and value.
- step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed to create a cohesive composition.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of light and form.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red light · viridian green
Mix various shades of ochre and umber with white to create the building colors. Use ultramarine blue for the sky, lightening it with white as needed. Mix small amounts of red and green to create accent colors for windows and details.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the buildings.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes sizes 2, 6, 8
- ·flat brushes sizes 4, 8
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·odorless mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·varnish
Use a canvas with a medium texture to enhance the brushwork. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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