plate no. 0336

Fountain Medici, Paris

James Taylor Harwood, 1930

oil, canvasImpressionismcityscapefountainstatueswaterarchitecturecityscapebirds

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and capturing the play of light on different surfaces, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the fountain's structure and the placement of the statues.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of diluted paint, paying attention to the warm and cool tones.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the fountain and statues, using thicker paint.
step 04
Develop the details of the water, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest movement and reflections.
step 05
Add details to the surrounding architecture and foliage, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Refine the details of the statues, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and tone.
step 07
Add the birds and any other small details to complete the composition.
step 08
Apply final glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · viridian

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining the primary colors. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix greens from blue and yellow, adding a touch of red to neutralize if needed.

techniques