plate no. 2629
Old Spanish Cabildo, French Quater View of St.Anne Street, Jackson Square
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting architectural details with loose brushwork and capturing the atmosphere of a cityscape. Students will also learn to create depth through layering and color variation.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the building, figures, and street layout with light pencil lines.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas: sky, building facade, trees, and ground.
- step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns on the building and street.
- step 04
Add details to the building, such as windows, arches, and decorative elements.
- step 05
Define the figures and horse-drawn carriage with simple shapes and colors.
- step 06
Refine the foliage and add texture to the trees and bushes.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Apply final details and adjust colors as needed.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · cerulean blue · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson
Use yellow ochre and burnt umber to create the warm tones of the building. Mix cerulean blue with white for the sky and window accents. Add small amounts of alizarin crimson to darken shadows and create richer hues.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and unnatural look.
- →Failing to establish a clear light source, leading to a lack of depth.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, creating a flat and uninteresting palette.
- →Ignoring the atmospheric perspective, making distant objects appear too sharp and defined.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, cerulean blue, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grit canvas for better texture. Pre-tinting the canvas with a thin wash of burnt umber can help unify the colors.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
related guides
in this vein
