plate no. 9736

Le Four À Plâtre, À Montmartre

oilNeoclassicismcityscapebuildingsfigureshorsescartwindmillsky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting atmospheric perspective and rendering complex textures of buildings and figures. It also provides practice in creating a dynamic composition with multiple focal points.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings, figures, and horses.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the main color masses for the sky, buildings, and ground.
step 04
Begin adding details to the buildings, paying attention to the texture of the stone and roof.
step 05
Develop the figures and horses, focusing on accurate proportions and anatomy.
step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows, creating depth and dimension.
step 07
Add highlights and details to the figures and objects in the foreground.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to adjust color and value, and add final details.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · Prussian blue

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · ivory black · Payne's gray

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, and titanium white. Use Prussian blue and white to create the sky and cooler shadows. Add touches of cadmium red and yellow ochre for warmth.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the details too early without establishing the overall composition and value structure.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushwork.
→Inaccurate proportions of figures and horses.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, Prussian blue, yellow ochre, cadmium red, ivory black)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Rags