plate no. 7271
Porte d'Arcueil
Tsuguharu Foujita, 1918
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and subtle value gradations to create a sense of depth and mood. It also provides practice in rendering textures of snow and stone.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the bridge and the distant buildings.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of neutral gray.
- step 03
Begin layering in the sky, blending different shades of gray to create a soft, overcast effect.
- step 04
Develop the bridge, using darker values to define the arches and lighter values for the snow-covered surfaces.
- step 05
Add details to the buildings in the background, paying attention to their relative size and placement.
- step 06
Paint the snow-covered ground, varying the texture and value to create a sense of depth.
- step 07
Add the fence and other details in the foreground.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · ivory black
secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre
Achieve the various gray tones by mixing white with small amounts of black and umber. Add touches of sienna or ochre to warm the colors slightly.
techniques
- ·value studies
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall atmospheric effect.
- →Using too much color and creating a painting that is too vibrant.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle variations in the snow's texture and color.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a smooth canvas to facilitate blending. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the painting process.
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