plate no. 2110

Nice, Les Platanes

Włodzimierz Zakrzewski, 1972

oilRealismlandscapetreeslandscapebuildingpathskycityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impasto techniques and layering paint to create texture and depth. It also encourages observation of complex forms like trees and how light interacts with them.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees and the building in the distance.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin layer of light gray and white, using loose brushstrokes.
step 03
Apply a base layer of dark brown and black to the tree trunks and branches, establishing their general shapes.
step 04
Begin building up texture on the trees using thick impasto strokes of brown, black, and touches of green and yellow.
step 05
Add highlights to the trees and branches using lighter shades of gray, white, and yellow, focusing on areas where light hits.
step 06
Paint the path and ground using a mix of gray, brown, and blue, varying the tones to create depth.
step 07
Suggest the building in the distance with simple shapes and light colors, keeping it soft and blurred.
step 08
Refine the details of the trees and branches, adding small touches of color and texture to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · black · white · brown · gray

secondary · yellow · green · blue

Achieve the various shades of brown and gray by mixing black and white with small amounts of brown, yellow, and blue. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights.

techniques