plate no. 3040

Notre Dame, the Effect of Sunlight

Francis Picabia, 1906

oil, canvasImpressionismcityscapebuildingarchitecturecityscapeNotre Dametreessky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impressionistic brushwork and color mixing to capture the effect of light on a complex architectural subject. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and applying broken color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch of the basic shapes of Notre Dame, focusing on the towers and main facade.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the placement of the trees and surrounding buildings.
step 03
Block in the main color masses for the sky, building, and foliage using thin washes.
step 04
Start building up layers of color with short, broken brushstrokes, focusing on capturing the light and shadow.
step 05
Mix colors directly on the canvas to create a sense of vibrancy and movement.
step 06
Pay attention to the details of the architectural elements, but avoid over-defining them.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the building.
step 08
Refine the foreground details, such as the trees and figures, using small, expressive brushstrokes.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Achieve the warm tones of the building by mixing burnt sienna with yellow ochre and a touch of alizarin crimson. Create the cool shadows by mixing ultramarine blue with burnt sienna and white. Use white to lighten and brighten colors, creating a sense of luminosity.

techniques