plate no. 3409

Night of Piazza del Duomo in Milan

oilRealismcityscapecathedralcityscapebuildingscarriagefiguresnight

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering complex architectural details with limited color variations. It also provides practice in capturing the mood and lighting of a nocturnal scene.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the cathedral and surrounding buildings, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of dark blue/brown, creating the night sky and shadows.
step 03
Begin building up the cathedral with layers of light gray and white, focusing on the intricate details and highlights.
step 04
Add the surrounding buildings, carriage, and figures, using darker tones to create depth and contrast.
step 05
Refine the details of the architecture, adding texture and subtle color variations.
step 06
Create the impression of snow and light reflecting off the ground with light brushstrokes.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to enhance the sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and adjust values.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix ultramarine blue and raw umber to create the dark night sky. Add titanium white to create various shades of gray for the buildings and snow. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna sparingly for warm highlights.

techniques

·dry brushing
·glazing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the details too early without establishing the overall value structure.
→Using too much bright white, which can flatten the painting.
→Ignoring atmospheric perspective, which can make the painting look unrealistic.
→Overworking the details, which can make the painting look stiff and lifeless.