plate no. 0441

Cassis. The roofs of the city

Zinaida Serebriakova, 1928

oilExpressionismcityscapecityscaperooftopsbuildingsskytreeschurch

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and understanding how light and shadow define form. It also provides practice in creating texture with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and the horizon line, focusing on proportions and perspective.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, distant hills, and the overall tones of the rooftops and buildings.
step 03
Establish the main light and shadow patterns on the buildings, using a limited palette of warm and cool grays and browns.
step 04
Add details to the rooftops, such as the lines of the tiles, using short, deliberate brushstrokes.
step 05
Introduce local color variations to the buildings, varying the tones of the walls and shutters.
step 06
Refine the details of the church tower and the surrounding trees, paying attention to their shapes and values.
step 07
Add highlights to the sunlit areas of the rooftops and buildings to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition, ensuring that the values and colors are balanced and harmonious.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of gray by combining white, umber, and a touch of blue. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to create warm browns for the rooftops, adjusting the intensity with white or umber.

techniques