plate no. 6531

Ghetto of Florence

etchingRealismcityscapecityscapestreetbuildingsfiguresalleyarchitecture

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective, rendering textures of old buildings, and capturing the movement of figures in a crowded scene. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth using value and color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the perspective of the buildings and the placement of the main figures.
step 02
Establish the light and shadow areas using a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the buildings, starting with the darker tones and gradually adding lighter highlights.
step 04
Begin to define the figures, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions within the scene.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, doors, and architectural features.
step 06
Refine the figures, adding details to their clothing and faces.
step 07
Create the wet street effect by adding highlights and reflections to the pavement.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with small amounts of blues, yellows, and reds. Use white to lighten values and create subtle color variations.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·broken color
·scumbling
·glazing
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Getting the perspective wrong, leading to a distorted composition.
→Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and lifeless painting.
→Failing to create a sense of depth, making the scene appear flat.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated, which can detract from the overall mood.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife