plate no. 3575
Le boulevard Edgar-Quinet
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective drawing, value shading, and creating a sense of depth using atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in capturing architectural details and figures in a simplified style.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and perspective lines of the buildings and street.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and vanishing points.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of value (light, medium, dark) using a diluted wash.
- step 04
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, doors, and architectural features.
- step 05
Paint the figures and animals, paying attention to their proportions and placement.
- step 06
Add the bare trees, using thin lines and varying the thickness of the branches.
- step 07
Refine the details and add highlights and shadows to create depth.
- step 08
Add the lettering on the buildings.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · cadmium red light
Mix various shades of gray by combining ivory black and titanium white. Add small amounts of raw umber or yellow ochre to warm the grays. Use burnt sienna and cadmium red light sparingly for the figures and signage.
techniques
- ·linear perspective
- ·value shading
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·simplified figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect perspective leading to distorted buildings.
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the style.
- →Using too much color and losing the muted tonal quality.
- →Not establishing a clear value structure.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a smooth canvas to allow for easier blending. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base value.
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