plate no. 2286

Notre Dame de Paris

Xavier Martinez, 1900

oilTonalismcityscapebuildingcityscapebridgearchitectureskycart

some experience helpful

This painting is great for learning atmospheric perspective and how to simplify complex shapes into basic forms. Students will practice blending and creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes: the cathedral, the bridge arches, and the foreground elements.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin, even layer of gray.
step 03
Establish the darkest values of the cathedral and bridge using a dark brown or gray.
step 04
Add the mid-tones to the cathedral and surrounding buildings, focusing on the overall shape rather than details.
step 05
Paint the foreground with muted greens and browns, suggesting the texture of the ground and vegetation.
step 06
Add highlights to the foreground elements to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Refine the details of the cathedral and bridge, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 08
Add final touches, such as the figures and the cart, to complete the scene.

color palette

primary · gray · brown · green

secondary · ochre · red

Mix grays by combining white, black, and a touch of brown or blue. Achieve the muted greens by mixing yellow, blue, and brown. Use thin washes of color to create atmospheric effects.

techniques