plate no. 9394

Montmartre Windmills

Theophile Steinlen, 1903

oilRealismlandscapecityscapebuildingswindmillshillskyarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. It also provides practice in mixing muted and earthy tones.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, windmills, and hill, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light, muted color, blending it slightly towards the horizon.
step 03
Establish the overall tonal values of the hill and buildings using a mid-tone brown or gray.
step 04
Add darker values to define shadows and create depth in the buildings and landscape.
step 05
Introduce lighter values to indicate highlights and create contrast.
step 06
Paint the windmills with dark, simplified shapes, paying attention to their perspective.
step 07
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and rooflines, using small brushstrokes.
step 08
Refine the overall composition by adjusting values and adding subtle color variations.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium red

Mix raw umber and white for the buildings, adding small amounts of yellow ochre or burnt sienna for warmth. Use ultramarine blue and white to create the muted sky, and add a touch of red to neutralize the green of the hill.

techniques

·blocking in
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·tonal painting

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic feel.
→Creating too much contrast, resulting in a harsh and unrealistic image.
→Failing to establish a clear sense of depth and perspective.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (raw umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, cadmium red)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits