plate no. 1939

One O'Clock Break

Robert Spencer, 1913

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingstreesfiguresbridgelandscapecityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering textures with visible brushstrokes and capturing atmospheric perspective through color and value variations. It also provides practice in depicting figures in a landscape setting.

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 the buildings, bridge, and figures.
step 02
Block in the large shapes of color for the buildings, trees, and ground.
step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns, paying attention to the direction of the light source.
step 04
Develop the details of the buildings, adding windows, brickwork, and other architectural elements.
step 05
Refine the foliage of the trees, using broken brushstrokes to create texture and depth.
step 06
Add the figures, simplifying their forms and focusing on their gestures and poses.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white · sap green

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow light

Achieve the muted tones of the buildings by mixing yellow ochre, raw umber, and titanium white. Create the greens of the foliage by mixing sap green with varying amounts of yellow and blue.

techniques