plate no. 3421
Naples, Piazza Cavour
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing reflections on wet surfaces. It also provides practice in rendering figures and vehicles in a loose, impressionistic style.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the perspective of the street and buildings.
- step 02
Establish the main value ranges with a thin wash of diluted paint.
- step 03
Block in the larger shapes of the buildings and sky, paying attention to color temperature.
- step 04
Add the figures and carriages, simplifying their forms and focusing on their silhouettes.
- step 05
Create the reflections on the wet street using horizontal strokes and varying values.
- step 06
Refine the details of the buildings and figures, adding highlights and shadows.
- step 07
Add final touches, such as the street lamps and trees, to enhance the atmosphere.
- step 08
Glaze to unify the painting and adjust color and value as needed.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue
secondary · cadmium yellow · raw sienna · ivory black
Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create a range of grays for the reflections and shadows.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Getting the perspective wrong can ruin the composition.
- →Overworking the details can make the painting look stiff.
- →Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the reflections.
- →Making the figures too detailed and drawing attention away from the overall scene.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow, raw sienna, ivory black)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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