plate no. 6593

Rue Norvins, place du Tertre Montmartre

oilImpressionismcityscapecityscapestreetbuildingsfigureshorse carriagetrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting atmospheric perspective and capturing reflections on a wet surface. It also provides practice in simplifying complex urban scenes into basic shapes and color blocks.

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, street, and figures, focusing on perspective.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the sky, buildings, and ground with thin washes.
step 03
Establish the darkest values in the shadows and reflections.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, doors, and signs, using thicker paint.
step 05
Paint the figures with simplified shapes and colors, suggesting movement.
step 06
Create the reflections on the wet street by mirroring the colors and shapes above.
step 07
Add highlights to the buildings and figures to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
step 08
Refine details and adjust values to achieve a cohesive and atmospheric effect.

color palette

primary · gray · beige · red · brown

secondary · green · blue · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of gray by combining white, black, and small amounts of other colors like blue or brown. Achieve warm tones by mixing red, yellow, and brown. Use complementary colors to create muted shades.

techniques

·broken color
·wet-on-wet blending
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic effect.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, resulting in a flat painting.
→Ignoring the atmospheric perspective, making the background appear too sharp.
→Making the reflections too literal and not suggesting the distortion of the water.