plate no. 3425

Nachtbeleuchtung

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfiguresstreetraincityscapecarriageumbrella

some experience helpful

This painting is great for learning how to create atmospheric perspective and how to suggest detail rather than rendering it precisely. Students can practice capturing the effect of light reflecting off wet surfaces.

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 placement of the figures and the carriage.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in the large areas of dark blue for the sky and the warm yellow for the street.
step 03
Add the figures in the foreground, paying attention to their silhouettes and the folds of their clothing.
step 04
Create the reflections on the wet street using horizontal strokes of varying colors and values.
step 05
Add the details of the carriage and the other figures in the background, keeping them soft and indistinct.
step 06
Use small strokes of light yellow to represent the streetlights and their reflections.
step 07
Refine the details of the figures in the foreground, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add final touches, such as the rain streaks and the details of the umbrellas.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · titanium white · black

Mix yellow ochre with white for the streetlights and reflections. Use burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the dark figures and buildings. Add white to the blues and browns to create lighter values for the sky and reflections.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·scumbling
·broken color
·atmospheric perspective
·suggestive brushwork

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, which can make the painting look too tight and lose its impressionistic feel.
→Using too much detail in the background, which can flatten the perspective.
→Not creating enough contrast between the light and dark areas, which can make the painting look muddy.
→Failing to capture the feeling of rain and wetness.