plate no. 4090

Jewish quarter in Amsterdam

Max Liebermann, 1905

oil, canvasImpressionismgenre paintingbuildingsfiguresmarketcityscapestreetwindows

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow with visible brushstrokes and simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through color and brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the buildings and the general placement of figures.
step 02
Establish the main value structure using thin washes of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the larger areas of color, such as the buildings, street, and market stalls, using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin adding details to the buildings, including windows and architectural features, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Develop the figures in the foreground and background, paying attention to their gestures and interactions.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension, using a combination of blending and impasto techniques.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the overall color balance to achieve a harmonious and atmospheric effect.
step 08
Add final touches and details, such as the laundry hanging from the buildings and the signage.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · sap green

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, and ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten these colors and create highlights. Add small amounts of cadmium red or sap green to create subtle variations in the earth tones.

techniques

·broken color
·impasto
·scumbling
·alla prima
·value studies

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the spontaneity of the brushwork.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Ignoring the importance of atmospheric perspective.
→Getting lost in the details of the figures and losing the overall composition.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, cadmium red, sap green)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or mineral spirits