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home·artworks·Interior of the Sint Laurenskerk in Alkmaar
Interior of the Sint Laurenskerk in Alkmaar by Pieter Saenredam

plate no. 7054

Interior of the Sint Laurenskerk in Alkmaar

Pieter Saenredam, 1661

oilBaroqueinteriorarchitectureinteriordoorscolumnsfiguresarches
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to create a sense of depth using subtle shifts in color and value. It also provides practice in accurately depicting architectural details and creating a realistic sense of space.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the basic architectural shapes and perspective lines, paying attention to the vanishing point.

  2. step 02

    Block in the main areas of color: walls, doors, floor, and the interior space visible through the doorway.

  3. step 03

    Establish the light source and begin to build up the values on the walls and columns, creating a sense of depth.

  4. step 04

    Refine the details of the doors, including the panels and hardware.

  5. step 05

    Add the architectural details such as the carvings and the framed picture.

  6. step 06

    Paint the figures in the background, keeping them simple and indistinct.

  7. step 07

    Adjust the colors and values throughout the painting to create a harmonious and realistic effect.

  8. step 08

    Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · payne's gray · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of beige and gray by combining raw umber, titanium white, and small amounts of burnt sienna and payne's gray. Use yellow ochre to warm up the wall color.

techniques

  • ·glazing
  • ·scumbling
  • ·atmospheric perspective
  • ·linear perspective
  • ·color mixing

common pitfalls

  • →Incorrect perspective, leading to a distorted sense of space.
  • →Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and unnatural look.
  • →Failing to create a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective.
  • →Using colors that are too saturated, making the painting look unrealistic.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas 18x24
  • ·raw umber oil paint
  • ·titanium white oil paint
  • ·burnt sienna oil paint
  • ·payne's gray oil paint
  • ·yellow ochre oil paint
  • ·#4 round brush
  • ·#8 flat brush

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·linseed oil
  • ·turpentine

Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned ground to simplify the initial stages of painting.

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related guides

oil painting for beginners →chiaroscuro →how to learn by studying the masters →
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