plate no. 8547

Pasadizo Romano

oilNaturalismcityscapearchwaybuildingcityscapestreetlightshadows

some experience helpful

This painting offers a good exercise in capturing light and shadow within an architectural space, and practicing loose, expressive brushwork to create texture and depth. Students can learn to simplify complex scenes by focusing on key value relationships and color temperatures.

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 archway, walls, and building in the distance.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the darks and lights with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin building up the texture of the walls with visible brushstrokes, varying the direction and pressure.
step 04
Mix a range of browns and grays to represent the different tones in the stone and plaster.
step 05
Pay close attention to the light source and how it affects the colors and values in the scene.
step 06
Add highlights to the wet street to create the illusion of reflections.
step 07
Refine the details in the building in the distance, keeping them soft and muted.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · ivory black

Mix browns and grays by combining raw umber, burnt sienna, and ivory black. Use titanium white to lighten values and add highlights. Add small amounts of ultramarine blue to cool down the browns and grays.

techniques

·alla prima
·broken color
·scumbling
·value study
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality of the original.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, resulting in a flat and unconvincing image.
→Using colors that are too saturated, making the painting look artificial.
→Ignoring the effects of light and shadow on the colors and values in the scene.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (raw umber, burnt sienna, titanium white, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, ivory black)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·rags