plate no. 3956

Gardanne

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingshousesskyhillarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and use color to define form and space. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a scene with expressive brushstrokes.

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 overall composition, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Block in the sky with a mix of blue, white, and yellow, using visible brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the main color blocks for the buildings, using variations of yellow, ochre, and white.
step 04
Add the roof colors using reds and browns, varying the intensity.
step 05
Define the shadows and darker areas with blues and greens.
step 06
Add details like windows and architectural features, keeping them simple and suggestive.
step 07
Refine the foreground with greens and yellows, creating a sense of depth.
step 08
Review the painting and adjust colors and values as needed to achieve a harmonious balance.

color palette

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

secondary · viridian green · ultramarine blue · raw umber

Mix yellow ochre and white for the sunlit buildings. Use cerulean blue and white for the sky, adding a touch of yellow ochre for warmth. Create greens by mixing blue and yellow, and browns by mixing red, yellow, and blue.

techniques

·broken color
·alla prima
·simplified forms
·atmospheric perspective
·color temperature

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Creating muddy colors
→Ignoring the overall composition
→Failing to simplify the forms
→Not varying the brushstrokes

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, cerulean blue, titanium white, burnt sienna, viridian green, ultramarine blue, raw umber)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags