plate no. 8733
On the Streets of Paris
suitable for beginners
This painting is great for practicing loose brushwork and capturing a sense of atmosphere. Students will learn to simplify shapes and use color to create depth.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, fence, and figures.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: green for the grass, yellow/orange for the background, and brown for the trees and fence.
- step 03
Add darker values to the trees to create depth and form.
- step 04
Paint the fence using simple vertical and horizontal strokes.
- step 05
Add the figures with quick, gestural brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the colors and values, paying attention to the overall harmony of the painting.
- step 07
Add details to the trees and foliage using short, broken strokes.
- step 08
Allow to dry and add a varnish.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · sap green · burnt umber
secondary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow
Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and sap green, and adjust the value with white or burnt umber. Create the background color by mixing yellow ochre with a touch of burnt umber.
techniques
- ·dry brush
- ·broken color
- ·alla prima
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details
- →Making the colors too saturated
- →Losing the loose, painterly feel
- →Not establishing a clear focal point
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·sap green oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-grain canvas for a textured effect. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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