plate no. 3114

On the Boulevards

oilRealismgenre paintingfiguresstreet scenecarriagecafebuildingsreflections

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in motion, capturing atmospheric perspective, and rendering reflections on a wet surface. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and space through subtle tonal variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures, carriage, and architectural elements, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the basic color palette by mixing the dominant neutral tones for the background and street.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the figures' clothing, using simplified color variations for shadows and highlights.
step 04
Begin to refine the details of the figures' faces and clothing, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color and value.
step 05
Add the details of the carriage, cafe, and other background elements, using loose brushstrokes to suggest form.
step 06
Create the reflections on the wet street by mirroring the colors and shapes of the objects above, but with softened edges and reduced intensity.
step 07
Add final details, such as the leaves on the ground and the highlights on the figures' clothing.
step 08
Glaze with thin washes to unify the painting and adjust the overall color balance.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · viridian · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining ivory black, raw umber, and titanium white. Use small amounts of viridian and ultramarine blue to create cool grays for the reflections and shadows. Add cadmium red light to yellow ochre for warmer tones in the figures' clothing and the cafe.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·glazing
·atmospheric perspective
·rendering reflections

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the spontaneity of the brushwork.
→Failing to create a convincing sense of depth and space.
→Making the reflections too literal and not softening the edges enough.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not achieving the subtle tonal variations.