plate no. 8078

Rue Mont Cenis, Montmarte, Paris

Beauford Delaney, 1947

oilAmerican RealismcityscapebuildingsstreetfigurescityscapeshopsParis

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective, color mixing for urban scenes, and capturing the atmosphere of a bustling street. It also provides practice in depicting figures within a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and perspective lines of the buildings and street.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the buildings, sky, and street using thin washes.
step 03
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, doors, and architectural features.
step 04
Paint the figures in the scene, paying attention to their proportions and placement.
step 05
Develop the shadows and highlights to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Add details to the shops and storefronts, capturing their unique character.
step 07
Refine the brushwork to match the expressive style of the original painting.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · viridian · raw umber

Achieve the muted tones of the buildings by mixing earth tones with white and small amounts of blue or red. Create the street color by blending grays with hints of yellow and blue.

techniques