plate no. 5032

Hornsgatan

Eugène Jansson, 1902

oilSymbolismcityscapecityscapestreetskysunsetfiguresbuildings

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and using color to create mood. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of major elements like the street and buildings.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of dark brown or gray, paying attention to the areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Block in the sky with broad strokes of blue, purple, and orange, blending the colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 04
Add the dark masses of the buildings and hills, using a variety of dark tones to create texture and form.
step 05
Paint the street, using a lighter value than the surrounding areas to create a sense of perspective.
step 06
Add the figures and streetlights, using small, precise strokes to capture their details.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · cadmium orange

secondary · purple · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of blue and purple for the sky, using white to lighten the tones and create a sense of depth. Mix orange and yellow for the sunset, blending the colors to create a warm glow. Use burnt umber as a base for the dark areas, adding blue or purple to create variations in tone.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·color blending
·value studies

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
→Failing to create a strong value structure, resulting in a flat and uninteresting painting.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated, which can detract from the mood of the painting.
→Not blending the colors properly, resulting in a choppy and uneven surface.