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Paris by Ervin Tamas

plate no. 2750

Paris

Ervin Tamas, 1981

temperaExpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingsarchitecturestreetcafe
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes and using color temperature to create depth. It also provides practice in applying visible brushstrokes to build form and texture.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the basic shapes and perspective lines of the buildings and street.

  2. step 02

    Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall value and temperature of each section.

  3. step 03

    Begin to refine the shapes of the buildings, adding details like windows and architectural features.

  4. step 04

    Use short, directional brushstrokes to build up the texture and form of the buildings.

  5. step 05

    Pay attention to the light and shadow, and use contrasting colors to create depth.

  6. step 06

    Add details to the foreground, such as the cafe sign, using thicker paint and bolder brushstrokes.

  7. step 07

    Soften edges where needed to create a sense of atmosphere.

  8. step 08

    Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium orange · viridian green · purple

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining raw umber, ultramarine blue, and white. Use yellow ochre and cadmium orange to create warm highlights and the glow of the cafe.

techniques

  • ·dry brush
  • ·scumbling
  • ·broken color
  • ·color mixing
  • ·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic feel.
  • →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
  • →Ignoring the importance of value contrast.
  • →Not establishing a clear focal point.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·tempera paints
  • ·round brushes
  • ·flat brushes
  • ·palette
  • ·palette knife
  • ·water container

optional

  • ·painting medium
  • ·easel
  • ·rags
  • ·spray varnish

Tempera paints dry quickly, so work in small sections and keep your brushes clean. Consider using a retarder to slow the drying time.

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