plate no. 0905

Montparnasse Landscape

Frederick Carl Frieseke, 1900

watercolorImpressionismcityscapebuildingsstreetfiguresskycityscapearchitecture

some experience helpful

This painting is great for learning how to create depth through value and atmospheric perspective, as well as simplifying complex architectural forms into basic shapes. Students will also practice loose brushwork and color mixing to achieve a harmonious tonal range.

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 street perspective.
step 02
Establish the darkest darks with a thin wash of burnt umber, focusing on the shadows and doorways.
step 03
Apply a light wash of yellow ochre to the buildings, varying the intensity to suggest sunlight.
step 04
Mix a range of grays and blues for the sky, using loose, broken brushstrokes to create the clouds.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features, using a smaller brush.
step 06
Paint the figures in the foreground with quick, gestural strokes, focusing on their silhouettes.
step 07
Glaze the street with a mix of yellow ochre and burnt sienna, creating variations in tone and texture.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · titanium white · raw sienna · payne's gray

Mix yellow ochre and burnt umber for the warm tones of the buildings. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber for the darker shadows. Add white to the blues for the sky and clouds.

techniques

·wet-on-dry
·dry brush
·layering washes
·atmospheric perspective
·gestural brushwork

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Creating too much contrast and flattening the sense of depth.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them to create harmonious tones.
→Neglecting the importance of atmospheric perspective in creating depth.