plate no. 9518
Quai Aux Fleurs
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the texture of foliage and flowers with loose brushwork. It also provides practice in rendering figures in a naturalistic setting.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the bridge, figures, and flower stalls.
- step 02
Establish the sky with a light, blended wash of pink and blue.
- step 03
Block in the large shapes of the trees and foliage using dark greens and browns.
- step 04
Add the bridge and buildings in the background, paying attention to atmospheric perspective.
- step 05
Start defining the figures with simple shapes and values.
- step 06
Begin adding details to the flower stalls, using a variety of colors and brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 07
Refine the details of the figures and add highlights to the flowers.
- step 08
Add final touches and glazes to unify the painting.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light · yellow ochre
secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · sap green
Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and using white to create subtle value shifts. The pinkish sky is achieved by mixing white, red, and a touch of blue.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·alla prima
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the flowers, resulting in a stiff appearance.
- →Failing to establish a clear sense of depth and perspective.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, losing the muted, atmospheric quality.
- →Ignoring the importance of soft edges and blending.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·mahl stick
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for good paint adhesion and texture.
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