plate no. 9479

Moulin de la Galette

oilImpressionismlandscapebuildingsgatestreesfiguresstreetlanterns

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve muted tones and practice creating depth through atmospheric perspective. Students will also learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the perspective of the buildings and gates.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the red buildings, green gates, and the ground.
step 03
Mix the various shades of red and green, adding white or brown to create muted tones.
step 04
Add details to the buildings and gates, such as the signs and lanterns.
step 05
Paint the figures in the background, simplifying their forms.
step 06
Create the impression of trees and foliage using small, broken brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the values and colors, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · red · green · yellow ochre · white

secondary · brown · black

Achieve the muted reds by mixing red with brown or black. Create the greens by mixing yellow and blue, and then muting with brown or red. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques