plate no. 3028

Old Stables

oilImpressionismcityscapebuildingscourtyardstableskybrickspigeon

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to depict the texture of aged buildings. It also provides practice in rendering subtle color variations in muted tones.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and perspective lines of the buildings and courtyard.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber and raw sienna.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the buildings, sky, and ground, focusing on accurate value relationships.
step 04
Develop the textures of the brickwork, wood, and roofing using varied brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details to the windows, doors, and other architectural elements.
step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Paint the pigeons with quick, gestural strokes.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to enhance the realism.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · payne's gray · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining the primary colors. Use white to lighten the values and create highlights. Add small amounts of red or yellow to warm or cool the colors as needed.

techniques