plate no. 3420

Notre Dame with Violet Walls

Henri Matisse, 1902

oilRealismcityscapecityscapebuildingsarchitectureskywallsstreet

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using color to create depth and atmosphere. It also provides practice in visible brushwork and layering.

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 buildings, the wall on the right, and the foreground.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, starting with the sky and lightest areas.
step 03
Establish the dark values of the buildings and foreground, paying attention to the violet tones.
step 04
Layer in the mid-tones and details, using visible brushstrokes to build texture.
step 05
Add highlights to create a sense of light and form.
step 06
Refine the edges and details, focusing on the interplay of light and shadow.
step 07
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.
step 08
Allow to dry completely.

color palette

primary · violet · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cerulean blue · cadmium red · sap green

Achieve the violet tones by mixing red and blue with a touch of white. Create variations in the browns by mixing burnt umber with yellow ochre and small amounts of red or blue.

techniques