plate no. 5542

Florence

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)cityscapecityscapebuildingsdomefiguresstreetarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex architectural forms and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive scene. It also provides an opportunity to work on perspective and creating a sense of depth through line work and relative scale.

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 and the dome, focusing on perspective.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and vanishing points to guide the perspective of the street and buildings.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the buildings, sky, and street using thin washes.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, doors, and architectural features, using a fine brush.
step 05
Paint the dome with a base color and then add details and shading to create a sense of roundness.
step 06
Add figures and vehicles to the street, paying attention to their relative size and placement.
step 07
Outline key elements with a darker color to define shapes and add contrast.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · sap green · cerulean blue · cadmium red light

Mix raw umber and white for the buildings and street. Use burnt sienna for the dome, adding touches of red and brown for variation. Mix greens and blues for window accents and sky.

techniques