plate no. 7837

Nice.Street at night

Konstantín Korovin, 1909

oilImpressionismcityscapecityscapestreetnightfiguresbuildingstrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing atmospheric perspective and using loose, expressive brushstrokes to suggest details rather than define them precisely. It's a good exercise in color mixing for achieving subtle variations in light and shadow.

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 street, buildings, and trees.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of dark colors, paying attention to the areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Begin adding the darker areas of the trees and buildings, using broad, loose brushstrokes.
step 04
Introduce the warmer colors of the streetlights and reflections, focusing on capturing the glow and atmosphere.
step 05
Add the figures and other details with quick, gestural strokes, suggesting movement and activity.
step 06
Refine the colors and values, paying attention to the subtle variations in light and shadow.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall effect, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix ultramarine blue and burnt umber for the dark greens and blues of the trees and sky. Add yellow ochre and cadmium yellow to create the warm tones of the streetlights and reflections. Use alizarin crimson to add depth and richness to the shadows.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·alla prima
·atmospheric perspective
·impasto

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality of the original.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in light and shadow.
→Using colors that are too saturated or intense.
→Creating a flat, lifeless composition.