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home·artworks·Cathédrale de Notre Dame
Cathédrale de Notre Dame by Louis Vivin

plate no. 2079

Cathédrale de Notre Dame

Louis Vivin

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)cityscapecathedralarchitecturebuildingsskycityscapefigures
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in architectural rendering with simplified forms and linear perspective, as well as practicing controlled brushstrokes for details.

technical profile

palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the cathedral and surrounding buildings, focusing on accurate proportions.

  2. step 02

    Block in the sky with a thin, even layer of light blue paint.

  3. step 03

    Apply a base coat of beige/light grey to the cathedral, paying attention to the overall structure.

  4. step 04

    Begin adding details to the architecture, such as windows, arches, and decorative elements, using darker shades of grey and brown.

  5. step 05

    Paint the surrounding buildings with simplified shapes and colors, focusing on the overall composition.

  6. step 06

    Add small figures to the foreground to create a sense of scale and perspective.

  7. step 07

    Refine the details of the cathedral and buildings, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.

  8. step 08

    Add final touches, such as outlining key elements with a fine brush to enhance definition.

color palette

primary · light blue · beige · grey

secondary · brown · dark blue · yellow

Mix light blue by adding white to a small amount of blue. Create various shades of grey by mixing black and white. Achieve beige by mixing yellow, brown, and white.

techniques

  • ·linear perspective
  • ·architectural rendering
  • ·simplified forms
  • ·controlled brushstrokes
  • ·layering

common pitfalls

  • →Overcomplicating the details
  • →Incorrect proportions
  • →Uneven color application
  • →Ignoring the overall composition

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·acrylic paints (light blue, beige, grey, brown, dark blue, yellow, black, white)
  • ·round brushes (various sizes)
  • ·flat brushes (various sizes)
  • ·palette
  • ·water container

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·ruler
  • ·pencil

Use a medium-grain canvas for better texture. Acrylic paints are recommended for their quick drying time and ease of use.

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