plate no. 4093

Cassis

Samuel Peploe, 1913

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingscityscapetreesskyarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand simplified forms and color blocking to represent a complex scene. It also provides practice in capturing light and shadow with a limited palette.

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 of the buildings, tower, and landscape, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, leaving some areas for cloud variations.
step 03
Establish the darkest areas of the trees and mountains with a mix of blue and green.
step 04
Mix a light, warm tone for the buildings and apply it in broad strokes, leaving areas for shadows.
step 05
Add the roof colors with a mix of red and white, varying the tones slightly.
step 06
Define the shadows on the buildings and tower with a cooler, darker version of the building color.
step 07
Add details like windows and doors with small, deliberate strokes.
step 08
Refine the edges and add highlights to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · titanium white · cerulean blue · cadmium red

secondary · viridian green · yellow ochre

Mix white with small amounts of blue and red to achieve the various light tones. Use blue and green for the foliage, adjusting the ratio for different shades. Add yellow ochre to warm up the building colors.

techniques