plate no. 3468
Paris, Port des Orfèvres, l'hiver, avec la Seine gelée
Fernand Combes, 1910
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in tonal drawing, atmospheric perspective, and rendering reflections in water. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and distance using value and detail.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: horizon line, boat outlines, building silhouettes, and tree masses.
- step 02
Establish the darkest areas with charcoal, focusing on the boats and foreground elements.
- step 03
Gradually build up mid-tones, paying attention to the reflections in the water.
- step 04
Use a blending stump or paper towel to soften the transitions and create a hazy atmosphere.
- step 05
Add details to the boats and buildings, but keep them subtle to maintain the overall mood.
- step 06
Use a kneaded eraser to lift out highlights and create a sense of light.
- step 07
Refine the details in the foreground and add subtle textures to the water.
- step 08
Check the overall balance of values and make any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · charcoal gray · white
secondary · light gray · dark gray
Vary the pressure and blending of charcoal to achieve different shades of gray. Use white charcoal or an eraser to create highlights.
techniques
- ·tonal drawing
- ·blending
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·rendering reflections
- ·charcoal layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall atmospheric effect.
- →Creating too much contrast and making the scene look harsh.
- →Failing to accurately depict the reflections in the water.
- →Not establishing a clear focal point.
materials
surface · toned gray drawing paper
required
- ·charcoal pencils (soft, medium, hard)
- ·drawing paper (toned gray)
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·blending stump
- ·paper towels
- ·fixative spray
optional
- ·white charcoal pencil
- ·ruler
- ·sandpaper block
Using toned paper will help to establish the mid-tones and make it easier to create a sense of depth.
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