plate no. 9488

Palazzo Vecchio

oilExpressionismcityscapebuildingtowerclockskycityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides experience in simplifying complex architectural forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the building and tower, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin layer of light blue, leaving some areas for variation.
step 03
Apply a base layer of light ochre/beige to the building, varying the tone slightly.
step 04
Add darker tones to indicate shadows and architectural details, using short, visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Layer in highlights with lighter shades of ochre and white, again using visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Paint the details of the clock and the architectural features on the tower.
step 07
Add small touches of blue and orange to the building to create visual interest.
step 08
Refine the edges and details, paying attention to the overall texture.

color palette

primary · light blue · ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · orange · gray

Mix ochre with white for highlights, and ochre with burnt umber for shadows. Use small amounts of orange and blue to add depth and variation to the building's color.

techniques

·dry brush texture
·layering
·visible brushstrokes
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive feel.
→Making the colors too uniform and lacking variation.
→Not paying attention to the proportions of the building.
→Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·light blue paint
·ochre paint
·burnt umber paint
·titanium white paint
·assorted brushes
·palette

optional

·palette knife
·painting medium
·easel

Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the brushstroke visibility. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly, but oils will allow for more subtle blending.

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