plate no. 5142
Rue Terre Neuve, Meudon
some experience helpful
This painting offers a good opportunity to practice layering and scumbling techniques to create texture and depth. Students can develop their skills in mixing muted greens and grays to capture the atmospheric perspective.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the road's perspective and the placement of the trees and building.
- step 02
Establish the sky with a thin layer of gray, allowing some canvas to show through.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of green for the trees and foliage, using varying shades and values.
- step 04
Paint the road with a mix of white, gray, and ochre, using horizontal brushstrokes to suggest its surface.
- step 05
Add the building in the background with muted oranges and grays.
- step 06
Define the figure on the road with dark tones, keeping it simple and gestural.
- step 07
Refine the details of the trees and foliage, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
- step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.
color palette
primary · sap green · titanium white · raw umber
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · payne's gray
Mix greens by combining sap green with raw umber and white for muted tones. Create grays by mixing white, raw umber, and a touch of blue or black.
techniques
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·broken color
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
- →Using too much bright green, resulting in an unnatural appearance.
- →Failing to establish a clear sense of perspective in the road.
- →Making the figure too detailed and distracting from the overall scene.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·oil paints
- ·round brushes sizes 2, 4, 6
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·varnish
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for better paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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