plate no. 0482
Paysage--l'homme dans la ville
Leopold Survage, 1917
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify complex scenes into geometric forms and practice color mixing to achieve subtle tonal variations. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth through overlapping shapes and careful value placement.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, tree, and other elements, focusing on their geometric forms.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, blending it smoothly.
- step 03
Establish the base colors for the buildings, using muted tones and subtle variations.
- step 04
Paint the tree trunk with a mix of browns, adding highlights and shadows to create form.
- step 05
Add the foliage of the tree using a stippling or dabbing technique with various shades of green.
- step 06
Define the details of the windows, rooftops, and other architectural elements.
- step 07
Paint the figure in silhouette, using a dark color to create contrast.
- step 08
Refine the edges and add any final details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber
secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · payne's gray
Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors (e.g., blue and orange) with white. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber to create warm neutrals for the buildings. Mix viridian green with white and yellow ochre for the foliage.
techniques
- ·geometric simplification
- ·color blocking
- ·tonal variation
- ·stippling
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the shapes; maintain the simplified geometric forms.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated; aim for muted tones.
- →Ignoring the subtle value shifts; pay attention to the light and shadow.
- →Losing the overall composition; step back frequently to assess the balance.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (#2, #4, #6)
- ·flat brush (#8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·odorless mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·easel
- ·medium gloss
- ·retarder medium
Use a canvas with a smooth surface for easier blending. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly due to their faster drying time.
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