plate no. 5163

Pérouges, Rue Des Rondes, Le Grenier À Sel

Fernand Combes, 1919

charcoalImpressionismcityscapebuildingsstreetcityscapearchitecturecobblestonesshadows

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective drawing, value studies, and creating texture with charcoal. It also emphasizes the importance of light and shadow in defining form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and perspective lines of the buildings and street.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and vanishing points.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow with broad charcoal strokes.
step 04
Refine the shapes of the buildings, adding details like windows and roofs.
step 05
Develop the texture of the stone walls and cobblestone street using hatching and cross-hatching.
step 06
Pay close attention to the direction of light and how it affects the shadows.
step 07
Add finer details and highlights to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Soften edges where needed to create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · sepia · ivory black

secondary · raw umber

Vary the intensity of the sepia and black to create different shades and tones. Use a touch of raw umber for warmer highlights.

techniques

·hatching
·cross-hatching
·smudging
·value shading
·perspective drawing

common pitfalls

→Getting the perspective wrong, leading to distorted buildings.
→Making the shadows too uniform, lacking variation and depth.
→Overworking the details, resulting in a cluttered and stiff image.
→Failing to capture the atmospheric perspective, making the background appear flat.

materials

surface · toned drawing paper

required

·charcoal pencils (soft, medium, hard)
·kneaded eraser
·drawing paper (toned tan or sepia)
·fixative spray
·ruler
·pencil sharpener

optional

·tortillon
·chamois cloth
·white chalk

Using toned paper will help establish the mid-tones and make it easier to create highlights and shadows. Experiment with different charcoal grades to achieve a range of values.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

chat about this artwork

in this vein