plate no. 5453

Houses of Cagnes

Chaim Soutine, 1925

oil, canvasExpressionismcityscapebuildingslandscapehouseshillsidevillagesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and understanding how to simplify complex forms into basic shapes. It also encourages exploration of color relationships and creating depth through layering.

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 landscape, focusing on overall composition.
step 02
Establish the darkest values with a thin wash of dark green or brown.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color using broad brushstrokes, starting with the yellows and greens.
step 04
Layer in the mid-tones and highlights, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and doors, using smaller brushes.
step 06
Refine the brushwork, adding texture and variation to the surfaces.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to emphasize the focal point.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · sap green · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · raw umber · cadmium yellow light

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Create variations in the yellows by adding white or burnt sienna. Use raw umber and ultramarine for dark shadows.

techniques