plate no. 7856

News Depot, Cos Cob

Childe Hassam, 1912

oilImpressionismgenre paintingbuildingfigurewindowsstorefrontshuttersnewsstand

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in broken color techniques and capturing the impression of light and texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes and focusing on essential forms.

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 building, windows, and figure, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the building facade, roof, and surrounding areas.
step 03
Begin applying broken color using short, visible brushstrokes, layering different hues to create depth and texture.
step 04
Focus on capturing the light and shadow patterns on the building and figure.
step 05
Add details to the windows, shutters, and signage, using thicker paint and more defined strokes.
step 06
Refine the figure, paying attention to the highlights and shadows on the clothing.
step 07
Add final touches and details to the foreground and background to complete the scene.
step 08
Allow to dry and varnish.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white · viridian

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · burnt sienna

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors like yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix greens by blending blues and yellows with a touch of brown.

techniques