plate no. 7995

Roofs of Madrid

Arturo Souto, 1955

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismcityscapecityscaperoofsbuildingsskytowersarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve warm tones and practice layering brushstrokes to create texture and form. It also offers practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and towers, focusing on proportions and perspective.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of muted browns and grays.
step 03
Establish the main color blocks for the roofs and buildings using a limited palette of warm yellows, oranges, and reds.
step 04
Begin layering darker tones to define shadows and create depth.
step 05
Add highlights to the roofs and buildings to enhance the sense of light and form.
step 06
Refine the details of the towers and architectural elements.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to match the original painting.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · raw umber · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the warm tones of the buildings. Add small amounts of ultramarine blue to darken the browns and create shadows. Use titanium white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·dry brush texture
·scumbling
·layering
·color mixing
·simplification

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic feel.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them properly.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Getting lost in the complexity of the cityscape and not simplifying the forms.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt sienna, titanium white, raw umber, cadmium red light, ultramarine blue)
·palette
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags