plate no. 2703

Paisaje de Toledo

Rubén de Luis, 2022

oil, canvasImpressionismlandscaperivercityscapebuildingstreesskybridge

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing atmospheric perspective and using broken color to create texture and depth. It will also improve their ability to simplify complex scenes into essential shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and major shapes.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, slightly darker towards the top.
step 03
Establish the general color and value of the distant cityscape.
step 04
Paint the river with broad strokes, capturing the movement of the water.
step 05
Add the darker greens of the trees and foliage.
step 06
Develop the details of the buildings and bridge.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium red light · sap green

Mix various shades of green by combining yellow ochre, sap green, and burnt umber. Achieve the city's warm tones by mixing yellow ochre with small amounts of cadmium red light and white. Use white to lighten and cool the blues for the sky and water.

techniques

·broken color
·alla prima
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·impasto

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
→Making the colors too saturated and unrealistic.
→Failing to capture the correct values, resulting in a flat image.
→Not simplifying the complex shapes of the buildings and trees.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 12x16
·oil paints (cerulean blue, yellow ochre, titanium white, burnt umber, cadmium red light, sap green)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags