plate no. 1539
Corner Paleissingel Straat In Amsterdam
some experience helpful
This painting provides a good exercise in capturing the atmospheric perspective and reflections in water. Students will learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: buildings, canal, and trees.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the perspective of the buildings.
- step 03
Block in the main color masses: sky, water, buildings, and ground.
- step 04
Start with the background and work your way forward, layering colors.
- step 05
Add details to the buildings and figures, keeping them simple.
- step 06
Create reflections in the water using similar colors to the objects above.
- step 07
Use dry brush technique for texture on the buildings and ground.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth.
color palette
primary · gray-blue · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · payne's gray
Mix various shades of gray-blue by combining white, blue, and a touch of umber. Use burnt sienna and yellow ochre for the warm tones in the buildings.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·dry brush texture
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
- →Making the colors too saturated.
- →Incorrect perspective of the buildings.
- →Not capturing the reflections accurately.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·oil paints
- ·round brushes size 2, 4, 6
- ·flat brush size 8
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a limited palette to simplify color mixing. Pre-mix several values of gray-blue for the sky and water.
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