plate no. 4023

Houses

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingshousesarchitecturecityscapeshadows

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and understanding how light and shadow define the structure of buildings. It also encourages experimentation with visible brushstrokes to create texture and depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, focusing on their geometric forms and relative proportions.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the main planes of the buildings.
step 03
Block in the sky with a thin layer of light blue paint.
step 04
Mix a range of light and dark tones for the walls, using white, blue, and a touch of brown.
step 05
Apply the base colors to the walls, paying attention to the light and shadow areas.
step 06
Add details like windows and roof tiles with darker shades of brown and red.
step 07
Use visible brushstrokes to create texture on the walls and roofs.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · titanium white · cerulean blue · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Mix white with small amounts of blue and brown to achieve the cool, muted tones of the walls. Use burnt umber and cadmium red for the roof tiles, adjusting the proportions to create variations in color.

techniques