plate no. 9164
L'église St. Desir
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in architectural rendering and linear perspective, as well as practice creating textures with simple brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, church, and water, paying attention to perspective.
- step 02
Block in the main colors of the sky, buildings, and water with thin washes.
- step 03
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, doors, and roof tiles, using a fine brush.
- step 04
Create texture on the buildings and roofs with short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 05
Paint the reflections in the water, using slightly darker and muted versions of the colors above.
- step 06
Add details to the foreground, such as the railing and road.
- step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · red-brown · grey · light blue · tan
secondary · green · dark brown
Mix various shades of grey by combining white, black, and a touch of brown or blue. Create the red-brown roof color by mixing red, brown, and a touch of orange.
techniques
- ·linear perspective
- ·dry brushing
- ·color mixing
- ·layering
- ·rendering
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the details too early in the process.
- →Not paying enough attention to perspective, leading to distorted buildings.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in a flat and unrealistic look.
- →Ignoring the reflections in the water, which add depth and realism.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·Acrylic or oil paints (red, brown, white, black, blue, green)
- ·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·Flat brush (size 8)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Rags or paper towels
optional
- ·Medium gloss
- ·Easel
Use a canvas with a smooth surface for easier rendering of details. Acrylics are recommended for beginners due to their faster drying time.
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