plate no. 7569
Le quai aux fleurs, Notre-Dame
Tsuguharu Foujita, 1950
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective drawing, particularly depicting complex architectural forms, and in creating subtle tonal variations using a limited color palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and perspective lines of the buildings, paying attention to the angles and proportions.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and vanishing points to guide the perspective.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow with diluted washes of neutral colors.
- step 04
Gradually build up the tonal values, adding layers of color to create depth and dimension.
- step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, doors, and architectural features.
- step 06
Paint the Notre-Dame cathedral in the background, simplifying its form and details.
- step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of realism.
- step 08
Add the signature at the bottom right corner.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
Achieve the various shades of gray and brown by mixing raw umber, black, and white in different proportions. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna sparingly to add warmth to certain areas.
techniques
- ·linear perspective
- ·value studies
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect perspective leading to distorted buildings
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall harmony
- →Using too much color and creating a muddy effect
- →Ignoring the subtle tonal variations and creating a flat image
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a smooth canvas to facilitate blending and glazing. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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