plate no. 7658
Place de la Trinity in Paris
Albert Marquet, 1911
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values. It also provides practice in capturing movement and the essence of a bustling city.
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 and composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings and the park.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the overall perspective of the scene.
- step 03
Block in the main color masses for the sky, buildings, and ground, using a limited palette.
- step 04
Add details to the buildings, focusing on the architectural elements and the play of light and shadow.
- step 05
Paint the figures and vehicles in the street, using quick, gestural brushstrokes to suggest movement.
- step 06
Refine the details of the park and the trees, adding subtle variations in color and texture.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights to bring the painting to life.
color palette
primary · gray · beige · white · brown
secondary · blue-gray · red · green
Achieve the various grays by mixing white with small amounts of black, brown, and blue. Use thin washes of color to create atmospheric effects.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·simplified shapes
- ·gestural brushstrokes
- ·limited palette
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking details
- →Incorrect perspective
- →Muddy colors
- →Ignoring value relationships
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints (gray, beige, white, brown, blue, red, green)
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the painting process.
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