plate no. 4827

Rue du Singe Qui Pêche

Charles Demuth, 1921

oilPrecisionismcityscapebuildingscityscapearchitecturesignsstreet

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand geometric abstraction and how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes. They will also learn about color mixing for subtle tonal variations and creating depth through overlapping forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic geometric shapes and lines of the buildings and signs, focusing on proportions and angles.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the lightest tones and gradually adding darker values.
step 03
Carefully mix the subtle color variations for the buildings, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Define the edges of the shapes with clean, crisp lines, using a fine brush or detail tool.
step 05
Add the details of the windows and signs, ensuring accurate placement and proportions.
step 06
Refine the overall composition by adjusting values and colors as needed.
step 07
Add any final details or highlights to enhance the sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Step back and evaluate the painting, making any necessary adjustments to achieve a balanced and harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · cerulean blue

Achieve the muted tones by mixing white with small amounts of raw umber and black. Use yellow ochre and cerulean blue to create the greenish-grey hues. Add small amounts of red to darken the browns.

techniques