plate no. 4179
Paris in the morning
Konstantín Korovin, 1920
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impressionistic brushwork and capturing atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into essential shapes and colors.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: buildings, trees, and the road.
- step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of diluted paint.
- step 03
Block in the large areas of color for the buildings, trees, and road, focusing on value and temperature.
- step 04
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and awnings, using short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 05
Develop the trees with layered brushstrokes, creating a sense of depth and texture.
- step 06
Paint the figures with quick, gestural strokes, capturing their movement and placement.
- step 07
Refine the shadows on the road, paying attention to their shape and value.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to enhance the overall impression.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white · sap green
secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light · violet
Mix greens by blending yellow ochre and ultramarine blue, adjusting the ratio for different shades. Create muted tones by adding a touch of complementary colors.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·impressionistic brushwork
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Ignoring the importance of value and temperature in creating depth.
- →Making the figures too detailed and distracting from the overall scene.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
- ·varnish
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the brushwork. Consider toning the canvas with a thin wash of burnt sienna or yellow ochre before starting.
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