plate no. 8021

Medgidia Houses

Lucian Grigorescu, 1938

oilImpressionismcityscapehouseslandscapevillageskytreesarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and forms. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of light and atmosphere in a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, hills, and trees, focusing on the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light blue and white.
step 03
Establish the main color areas for the hills, buildings, and foreground using thin washes of color.
step 04
Begin layering colors on the buildings and hills, adding details and variations in tone and hue.
step 05
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and suggest foliage in the trees and foreground.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to define the forms and create a sense of depth.
step 07
Refine the details of the architecture, such as windows and roofs, using small brushstrokes.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a harmonious and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · cerulean blue · burnt sienna

secondary · sap green · cadmium orange · ultramarine blue

Mix yellow ochre and white for the light-colored buildings. Use a combination of blues and white for the sky. Mix greens with yellow ochre and blue for the foliage. Add small amounts of red or orange to warm up the colors.

techniques