plate no. 5178

London Street, Bath

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapecityscapestreetbuildingstreescarsfigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the effects of light and shadow on urban environments. It also provides practice in simplifying complex architectural details.

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 buildings.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and vanishing point(s).
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the buildings, trees, and street using thin washes of color.
step 04
Develop the values, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 05
Add details to the buildings and trees, simplifying where necessary.
step 06
Paint the figures and vehicles, keeping them small and indistinct.
step 07
Refine the colors and values, adding highlights and shadows.
step 08
Add final details and adjust the overall composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining the primary colors. Use ultramarine blue to cool down the browns and create atmospheric perspective.

techniques