plate no. 6083

Fisherman Village in Brittany

Nicolae Vermont, 1923

oilImpressionismcityscapebuildingsstreetfiguresskyvillagearchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using broken color to create a sense of light and atmosphere. It also provides an opportunity to study color temperature and how it affects the overall mood of a painting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, street, and figures, focusing on proportions and perspective.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin layer of light blue, leaving some areas unpainted for texture.
step 03
Establish the main color masses of the buildings using a mix of warm oranges and browns.
step 04
Add shadows to the buildings and street, using cooler tones to create depth.
step 05
Paint the figures with simple shapes and colors, focusing on their silhouettes.
step 06
Introduce details such as windows, doors, and foliage with small, broken brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the colors and values, paying attention to the overall harmony of the painting.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · cadmium orange

Mix white with yellow ochre and a touch of burnt sienna to create the warm, sunlit areas. Use ultramarine blue and raw umber to create cooler shadows. Add cadmium orange for brighter accents.

techniques

·broken color
·dry brush
·scumbling
·layering
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic feel.
→Using colors that are too saturated and creating a harsh, unnatural look.
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast and creating a flat, lifeless painting.
→Failing to simplify the complex shapes of the buildings and figures.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt sienna, titanium white, ultramarine blue, raw umber)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags