plate no. 2228

Roma, San Giovanni

Włodzimierz Zakrzewski, 1970

oilRealismlandscapetreesbuildingstreetskyarchitecturecityscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impasto techniques and layering colors to create depth and texture. It also encourages observation of complex forms and simplification for expressive representation.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the building, trees, and street, focusing on perspective.
step 02
Establish the darkest values with a thin wash of burnt umber or similar dark brown.
step 03
Begin layering thicker paint, starting with the sky and working down to the foreground.
step 04
Use short, directional brushstrokes to define the forms of the trees and branches.
step 05
Mix and apply various shades of gray, brown, and white to create the street texture.
step 06
Add highlights to the building and trees to create a sense of light and form.
step 07
Refine the details of the building, paying attention to the windows and architectural elements.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · payne's gray

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of gray by combining white, umber, and a touch of blue. Achieve warm browns by mixing umber with yellow ochre or red. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.

techniques

·impasto
·dry brush
·layering
·directional brushstrokes
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Ignoring the perspective of the street and building.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (titanium white, burnt umber, payne's gray, yellow ochre, cadmium red light, ultramarine blue)
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags