plate no. 2840

Market Square of Warsaw by Night

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapecityscapenightbuildingsstreetlightsreflection

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the subtle nuances of light and shadow in a nocturnal scene. It will also improve their understanding of color mixing to achieve muted and realistic tones.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare a toned canvas with a dark neutral color like burnt umber or raw sienna.
step 02
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and street layout, focusing on perspective.
step 03
Block in the darkest areas of the painting, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin adding the lighter areas, focusing on the light sources and their reflections.
step 05
Develop the details of the buildings and street, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Carefully add the highlights and reflections on the wet pavement.
step 07
Refine the details of the street lamps and the light they cast.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust the values to create a cohesive and atmospheric scene.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna · cadmium yellow

Mix black and umber to create deep shadows. Use yellow ochre and cadmium yellow sparingly to create the glow of the streetlights. Add small amounts of blue to darken the shadows and create atmospheric depth.

techniques