plate no. 1142

Square Berlioz (La Place Vintimille)

Edouard Vuillard, 1915

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismcityscapeparktreesfiguresbuildingscityscapefence

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, and in using loose brushstrokes to suggest form rather than define it precisely. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the main elements (trees, buildings, figures).
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in large areas of color with thin washes.
step 03
Develop the background elements, such as the buildings and sky, using subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Add the trees and foliage, using broken brushstrokes to create texture and depth.
step 05
Paint the figures, simplifying their forms and focusing on their placement within the scene.
step 06
Refine the details, such as the fence and the path, using small brushstrokes and subtle color variations.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · olive green · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · titanium white

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue, adjusting the ratio to achieve different shades. Use burnt umber and white to create a range of browns for the path and tree trunks. Add small amounts of cadmium red to greens and browns to warm them up.

techniques

·broken brushstrokes
·layering
·scumbling
·color mixing
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic effect.
→Using too much detail in the background, which can flatten the composition.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Not simplifying the figures enough, which can make them look out of place.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (olive green, burnt umber, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, cadmium red, titanium white)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife