plate no. 1061

OLD DON TOLEDO HOUSE OLDEST HOUSE IN ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA (AMERICA`S OLDEST CITY)

Colette Pope Heldner, 1934

oilImpressionismcityscapebuildingfiguresstreetvegetationpalm treesarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in applying impasto techniques and capturing the essence of a scene with loose, expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve the weathered look of the building and surrounding foliage.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the building, figures, and major landscape elements, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by applying a thin wash of diluted paint to the canvas.
step 03
Begin building up the texture of the building and surrounding walls with thick, impasto brushstrokes.
step 04
Add details to the windows, doors, and architectural features, using a smaller brush for precision.
step 05
Paint the figures, paying attention to their form and the way light interacts with their clothing.
step 06
Develop the surrounding vegetation, using a variety of greens and browns to create depth and texture.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights and shadows to enhance the overall sense of realism.
step 08
Add final touches, such as the street details and any small details that bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · viridian green

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, and titanium white. Achieve the greens by mixing cadmium yellow and viridian green, adjusting the ratio for different shades.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·dry brush
·scumbling
·color layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality of the original painting.
→Using too much paint and creating a muddy or overworked appearance.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, resulting in a flat or uninteresting composition.
→Neglecting the importance of color mixing and using colors straight from the tube.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson, viridian green)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·rags