plate no. 8236
Paris
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the building, trees, and street, focusing on proportions.
- step 02
Apply a thin wash of diluted brown and blue to establish the overall tonal values.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the building, street, and sky, using a limited palette.
- step 04
Add details to the building, such as windows, doors, and brickwork, using darker and lighter tones.
- step 05
Paint the trees with loose, expressive brushstrokes, capturing their bare branches.
- step 06
Refine the street and sky, adding subtle color variations and textures.
- step 07
Add the fence and any other small details.
- step 08
Let dry and add a final glaze to unify the painting.
color palette
primary · raw umber · ultramarine blue · titanium white
secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · sap green
Mix raw umber and ultramarine blue to create the dominant gray tones. Add small amounts of burnt sienna or yellow ochre to warm up the grays. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality.
- →Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to establish a clear focal point.
- →Not paying attention to the tonal values and creating a flat image.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a medium-grit canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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