plate no. 5520

Montparnasse

Maurice Prendergast, 1907

watercolor, paperPost-Impressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingsfiguresstreetcarriagessky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and capturing the essence of a busy scene with simplified forms. It also encourages observation of color variations in urban environments.

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 and the overall composition.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre and burnt sienna to the entire paper as a base tone.
step 03
Begin adding the sky with a diluted blue, allowing it to blend with the base wash.
step 04
Paint the buildings using a variety of muted colors, focusing on capturing the light and shadow patterns.
step 05
Add details to the buildings like windows and rooftops with darker tones.
step 06
Paint the figures and carriages in the foreground with quick, gestural brushstrokes.
step 07
Use a fine brush to add small details and accents, such as the awnings and architectural details.
step 08
Allow the painting to dry completely and add any final touches or corrections.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · raw umber · cadmium red · sap green

Mix yellow ochre with burnt sienna for the warm tones of the buildings. Use ultramarine blue diluted for the sky. Create muted greens by mixing yellow ochre and ultramarine blue with a touch of burnt sienna.

techniques