plate no. 5804

Courtyard of a house in Delft

oil, canvasBaroquecityscapecourtyardfiguresarchitecturebrickworkdoorwaygarden

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic textures like brick and stone, as well as creating depth through atmospheric perspective and subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the basic composition and perspective lines.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors, focusing on the large areas of brickwork, paving stones, and figures.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin to define the shadows and highlights.
step 04
Develop the textures of the brick and stone using small brushstrokes and subtle color variations.
step 05
Refine the details of the figures, including their clothing and facial features.
step 06
Add the foliage and other details in the courtyard, paying attention to their placement and scale.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value range to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · raw umber · cadmium red light · ivory black

Achieve the brick colors by mixing burnt sienna, cadmium red light, and yellow ochre with varying amounts of white. Create the paving stone colors by mixing yellow ochre, raw umber, and white.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·rendering textures

common pitfalls

→Getting the perspective wrong, especially with the brickwork and paving stones.
→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
→Using colors that are too saturated or bright.
→Failing to create a convincing sense of depth.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (burnt sienna, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, titanium white, raw umber, cadmium red light, ivory black)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags