plate no. 3318

Plaza in Montmartre

oilImpressionismcityscapebuildingsfiguresstreetcityscapesky

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students develop their understanding of atmospheric perspective and simplified figure drawing. It also provides practice in mixing muted colors and creating a sense of light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes of the buildings and figures, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the sky and ground with thin washes of color, establishing the overall tone.
step 03
Add the base colors for the buildings, using a mix of yellows, browns, and whites.
step 04
Paint the figures with simple shapes and dark tones, suggesting form with minimal detail.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, doors, and architectural features.
step 06
Create shadows and highlights to define the forms and add depth.
step 07
Add the small details like the posters on the wall and the tree on the right.
step 08
Refine the painting with final touches, adjusting colors and values as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow light · raw sienna

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors (e.g., a touch of blue into yellow ochre). Use white to lighten colors and create subtle variations.

techniques