plate no. 1784

Chaudoin House

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingcityscapeskyrooftopsstreetvegetation

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values. It's a good exercise in capturing the essence of a place rather than precise detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the building, street, and distant cityscape, focusing on proportions and perspective.
step 02
Establish the sky with broad strokes of light blue and yellow, blending them softly.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the building: off-white for the walls, brown for the roof, and muted colors for the windows and doors.
step 04
Paint the street using a mix of grays and browns, suggesting the texture of the pavement with short, broken strokes.
step 05
Add the distant cityscape with small, indistinct shapes and colors, focusing on the overall impression of a dense urban area.
step 06
Introduce the vegetation with dabs and strokes of green, brown, and yellow, creating a sense of foliage without precise detail.
step 07
Refine the details of the building, such as the roof tiles, window frames, and door handles, using a smaller brush.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the sense of light and depth.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · cerulean blue

secondary · cadmium yellow · burnt sienna · sap green

Achieve the off-white of the building by mixing titanium white with a touch of raw umber and yellow. Create the grays for the street by mixing raw umber, white, and a hint of blue.

techniques