plate no. 5944
Notre Dame
Beauford Delaney, 1949
some experience helpful
This painting offers practice in capturing architectural details with loose brushstrokes and creating depth through layering and color variations. Students can learn to simplify complex forms and suggest detail rather than rendering it precisely.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the Notre Dame cathedral and the surrounding park, focusing on proportions and perspective.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light blue, allowing some of the canvas to show through.
- step 03
Establish the main color masses of the cathedral, using a mix of white, ochre, and a touch of blue.
- step 04
Paint the foliage with various greens, yellows, and browns, using broken brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 05
Add the figures in the park, simplifying their forms and focusing on their silhouettes.
- step 06
Develop the details of the cathedral, such as the windows and arches, using smaller brushes and more precise strokes.
- step 07
Refine the shadows and highlights throughout the painting to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Add final touches, such as the leaves in the foreground and the details on the statues.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · cerulean blue · sap green
secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson
Mix various shades of green by combining sap green with yellow ochre and a touch of blue. Create the cathedral's stone color by mixing white, ochre, and a small amount of burnt umber.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·suggested detail
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details of the cathedral, resulting in a stiff and unnatural look.
- →Using too much detail in the foreground, which can flatten the composition.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Not varying the brushstrokes enough, resulting in a monotonous texture.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·cerulean blue oil paint
- ·sap green oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for good paint adhesion and texture. Consider pre-toning the canvas with a thin wash of burnt umber to create a warm underpainting.
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