plate no. 3493

Shadows on a Staircase in Southern France

oilImpressionismlandscapebuildingsstairsvegetationshadowsarchitecturecourtyard

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting light and shadow on architectural forms and understanding how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and colors. It also provides practice in using visible brushstrokes to create texture and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, stairs, and vegetation, focusing on proportions and perspective.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color using thin washes, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 03
Start building up layers of paint, focusing on the areas of light and shadow.
step 04
Use thicker paint and visible brushstrokes to add texture and detail to the buildings and vegetation.
step 05
Mix and apply the colors for the shadows, noting their subtle variations.
step 06
Refine the details of the stairs, doors, and windows.
step 07
Add the final highlights and details to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Step back and make any necessary adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of ochre and sienna with white to create the warm tones of the buildings. Use green and blue to create the foliage, and red and sienna to create the brick and terracotta colors.

techniques