plate no. 4703

Omnibus on the place de la Madeleine, Winter

oilImpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingssnowfigurescarriagestrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the effects of light on wet surfaces. It also provides practice in rendering complex architectural details in a loose, impressionistic style.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of buildings and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky with a blend of grays, blues, and a hint of orange near the horizon.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the buildings using muted tones of gray, brown, and white.
step 04
Add the snow on the rooftops and branches with thick, textured brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the figures and carriages in the foreground, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 06
Create the reflections on the wet street using horizontal strokes of varying colors.
step 07
Add details such as windows, streetlights, and tree branches.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and add highlights to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · titanium white · payne's gray · raw umber · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow

Mix various shades of gray by combining white, Payne's gray, and a touch of raw umber. Use burnt sienna and cadmium yellow sparingly to create warm highlights and accents.

techniques