plate no. 4548

Ouro Preto. St. John's Eve

Alberto da Veiga Guignard, 1942

oilExpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingsballoonsmountainsskytrees

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and perspective, and in rendering complex architectural details with simplified brushstrokes. It also encourages experimentation with color combinations to create a vibrant and expressive cityscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, dividing the canvas into foreground (city), midground (forest and hills), and background (sky).
step 02
Establish the dark tones of the sky and mountains using thin washes of dark colors.
step 03
Block in the general shapes of the buildings with simplified forms and basic colors.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, focusing on windows, doors, and architectural features. Use a fine brush for precise lines.
step 05
Paint the foliage of the forest with a variety of greens, layering different shades to create depth.
step 06
Add the balloons in the sky, paying attention to their shapes and colors.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of light and shadow.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · titanium white

Mix various shades of green by combining blue and yellow. Create muted tones by mixing complementary colors (e.g., blue and orange, red and green).

techniques

·layering
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·color mixing
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Getting bogged down in excessive detail too early.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
→Failing to establish a clear sense of depth and perspective.
→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the initial layers.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic paints
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brushes (various sizes)
·palette
·palette knife
·water container
·painting medium (e.g., acrylic glazing medium)

optional

·retarder medium
·easel
·reference photos

Use a medium-texture canvas to allow for better paint adhesion and layering. Acrylic paints are recommended for their fast-drying time and ease of use.

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