plate no. 5289

Rooftops Seen from Sf. Gheorghe Square

Lucian Grigorescu, 1940

oilImpressionismcityscaperooftopsbuildingscityscapeskyarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations and learn to suggest form and texture through expressive brushstrokes. It also emphasizes understanding atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition of the rooftops and buildings, focusing on perspective.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, establishing the overall color scheme.
step 03
Begin layering thicker paint, focusing on capturing the light and shadow on the buildings.
step 04
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.
step 05
Mix colors directly on the canvas to achieve a more impressionistic effect.
step 06
Pay attention to the subtle color variations in the sky and rooftops.
step 07
Add details like windows and chimneys with small, precise brushstrokes.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium yellow light · cerulean blue

secondary · burnt sienna · viridian · cadmium red light · ivory black

Mix white with small amounts of other colors to create the muted tones of the buildings. Use blues and greens to create the atmospheric perspective in the distance.

techniques