plate no. 7632

La Chapelle

Boleslas Biegas, 1937

oilSymbolismlandscapeislandtreesarchitecturewaterstatuessky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting atmospheric perspective and creating a sense of depth through value and color variations. It also offers practice in painting architectural forms and rendering textures of rock and water.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the island, trees, and architecture.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and water.
step 03
Establish the dark mass of the trees, paying attention to their overall shape.
step 04
Begin defining the forms of the architecture with light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the statues, including their features and clothing.
step 06
Develop the texture of the rocks using broken brushstrokes and varying values.
step 07
Refine the water with horizontal strokes and reflections.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Mix blues and umbers for the sky and water. Use white to create highlights on the architecture and rocks. Add small amounts of red and yellow to create the sunset colors.

techniques