plate no. 5570

Square of Brussels

Arturo Souto, 1938

oil, canvasExpressionismcityscapebuildingshorsesstreetskyfigurescarriage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering paint, creating texture with visible brushstrokes, and understanding atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, horses, and figures, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the sky, buildings, and ground using thin washes.
step 03
Add darker values to establish the shadows and create depth.
step 04
Begin layering paint to build up texture and detail in the buildings and horses.
step 05
Use short, visible brushstrokes to create the impression of texture and movement.
step 06
Refine the details of the figures and carriage, paying attention to their forms and proportions.
step 07
Add highlights to create contrast and bring the painting to life.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a cohesive and expressive result.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · sap green · titanium white · cadmium red

Mix yellow ochre with burnt umber and a touch of red for the building's warm tones. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, adding small amounts of burnt umber to create variations in tone. Mix greens from blue and yellow.

techniques