plate no. 1986

Rue de Lyon

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapecityscapestreetbuildingsfiguresvehiclessky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the effects of light reflecting on wet surfaces. It also offers practice in depicting figures and vehicles in a dynamic urban environment.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings, monument, and street.
step 02
Establish the sky with blended layers of yellow, orange, and purple.
step 03
Block in the major shapes of the buildings and monument using muted tones.
step 04
Add the street, using a base of cool grays and blues, and then add highlights to simulate wet reflections.
step 05
Paint in the figures and vehicles, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 06
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features.
step 07
Refine the lighting and shadows throughout the painting.
step 08
Add final details, such as the bare tree branches and street lamps.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium orange · alizarin crimson · sap green

Mix muted grays and purples for the buildings and monument. Achieve the wet street effect by layering cool blues and grays with light, warm highlights.

techniques