plate no. 2458

Marché À Tunis

Achille Beltrame, 1912

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)genre paintingmarketfiguresbuildingsskyarchitecturecityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting atmospheric perspective and rendering figures in a busy scene. It also provides practice in capturing the effects of light and shadow on various surfaces.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings, figures, and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the main light source and map out the areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Block in the sky with broad strokes, blending the colors to create a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 04
Paint the distant buildings and the minaret, using lighter values and less detail to create depth.
step 05
Add the figures in the marketplace, focusing on their general shapes and colors.
step 06
Develop the details of the foreground, including the buildings, stalls, and figures.
step 07
Refine the colors and values, paying attention to the subtle variations in light and shadow.
step 08
Add final details, such as highlights and textures, to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson · viridian

Achieve the atmospheric sky by mixing blues, whites, and touches of pink. Use burnt sienna and ultramarine to create a range of browns and grays for the buildings and figures. Mix yellow ochre with white and small amounts of other colors to create the light stone colors.

techniques