plate no. 9255

Les Grands Boulevards, Sous la Neige

oilImpressionismcityscapecityscapesnowbuildingsfiguresstreetcarriages

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting atmospheric perspective and capturing the feeling of a bustling city scene with loose, expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in rendering light and shadow on a snowy surface.

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 perspective of the street and the placement of buildings.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of neutral tones, paying attention to the light source.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the buildings, figures, and carriages using simplified color masses.
step 04
Develop the details of the buildings, adding windows, architectural elements, and snow accumulation.
step 05
Paint the figures and carriages with loose, gestural brushstrokes, suggesting movement and activity.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension, especially on the snow-covered ground.
step 07
Refine the details of the trees and branches, using a small brush to create delicate lines.
step 08
Add final touches, such as reflections in the wet street and subtle color variations in the sky.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium yellow

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · ivory black

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining raw umber, white, and small amounts of blue or sienna. Use yellow and white to create warm highlights for the building lights.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·broken color
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, resulting in a flat and unconvincing scene.
→Using colors that are too saturated, which can detract from the muted, atmospheric quality.
→Neglecting the importance of edges and allowing shapes to blend together too much.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or mineral spirits
·rags

optional

·medium gloss
·easel
·painting knife

Use a medium-textured canvas to allow for better paint adhesion and brushstroke visibility. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.

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