plate no. 9348

Rue D`Albarracin, Aragon

Alexis Gritchenko, 1934

oilExpressionismcityscapebuildingsfiguresstreetshadowscityscapearchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impasto techniques and using color temperature to create depth and form. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

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 of the buildings and figures, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin building up texture with thicker paint, using visible brushstrokes to define forms.
step 04
Focus on capturing the color variations within the light and shadow areas.
step 05
Add details to the figures and architectural elements, but maintain a loose and expressive style.
step 06
Refine the edges and transitions between colors, softening some areas and sharpening others.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments to balance the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining the primary colors. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix blue and umber for shadows.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·scumbling
·alla prima
·color temperature

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing on the palette.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
→Ignoring the color variations within the shadows and highlights.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, ultramarine blue, cadmium red, viridian green, ivory black)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·rags