plate no. 7947

House with Scaffolding

oilImpressionismcityscapehousescaffoldingbuildingsstreettreessky

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in capturing light and shadow on architectural forms using impressionistic brushstrokes. Students will learn to mix subtle color variations to represent the effects of sunlight.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and scaffolding, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue wash.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the buildings with thin washes of color.
step 04
Begin layering thicker paint to define the forms and add texture.
step 05
Mix and apply colors to represent the details of the roofs, windows, and scaffolding.
step 06
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create the impression of foliage and ground texture.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · cerulean blue · sap green · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of yellow ochre and white for the sunlit walls. Use raw umber and burnt sienna for the roof and shadows. Add small amounts of blue and green to the shadows to create depth.

techniques