plate no. 7904
Notre-Dame de Clignantcourt
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective, architectural rendering, and capturing the subtle color variations in snow. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and perspective lines of the church and surrounding buildings.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color: sky, buildings, and snow-covered ground.
- step 03
Add details to the church facade, including windows, doors, and architectural elements.
- step 04
Define the shapes of the buildings on the street, paying attention to their perspective.
- step 05
Create the snow texture using short, broken brushstrokes and varying shades of white and gray.
- step 06
Add the figures and street details, such as lampposts and fences.
- step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the forms.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · ivory black
secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · cerulean blue
Mix various shades of gray by combining white, black, and a touch of umber. Use yellow ochre and a touch of red to create the warm tones in the buildings. Add a small amount of blue to white to create cooler snow shadows.
techniques
- ·dry brush
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·linear perspective
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Getting the perspective wrong, leading to a distorted composition.
- →Making the snow too uniformly white, lacking depth and variation.
- →Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and unnatural look.
- →Failing to create a sense of atmosphere, making the painting feel flat.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oils)
- ·mineral spirits (if using oils)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·varnish
- ·rags
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly, while oils offer richer colors and blending capabilities.
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