plate no. 9024
Les bouquinistes devant Notre Dame
Jules Lefranc, 1935
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective, color mixing for landscapes, and creating texture with brushstrokes. It also encourages observation of architectural details and atmospheric perspective.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the perspective of the buildings and the river.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes of the sky, water, and buildings with diluted washes of color.
- step 03
Add the darker values to define the architectural details of Notre Dame.
- step 04
Paint the trees and foliage, using varied greens and textures.
- step 05
Establish the foreground elements, including the book stalls and the stone wall.
- step 06
Add the details of the books and the writing on the stone wall.
- step 07
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, paying attention to light and shadow.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to create depth and interest.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · cadmium red
Mix greens by combining blue and yellow ochre, and adjust the tone with burnt umber or white. Achieve the sky and water colors by mixing ultramarine blue with white, and adding small amounts of other colors to create subtle variations.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect perspective of the buildings.
- →Overly bright or saturated colors.
- →Lack of variation in the greens of the foliage.
- →Neglecting the details of the books and the writing.
- →Failing to create depth and atmosphere.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil (if using oils)
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·easel
- ·medium gloss
- ·retarder
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Acrylics will dry faster, while oils allow for more blending time.
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