plate no. 1043

St. Pierre de Montmartre

oil, cardboardPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingschurchcityscapeskytreesstreet

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the essence of a scene with simplified forms and visible brushstrokes. It's a good exercise in understanding tonal values and creating a sense of depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and the overall composition, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of gray and blue, blending the colors softly.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the buildings with light gray and beige tones, paying attention to the light source.
step 04
Add darker values to create shadows and define the architectural details.
step 05
Paint the trees with loose, broken brushstrokes, using greens, browns, and grays.
step 06
Refine the details of the buildings, such as windows, doors, and architectural elements.
step 07
Add the street and foreground with textured brushstrokes, using a mix of browns and grays.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · titanium white · payne's gray · raw umber

secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of gray by combining white, Payne's gray, and a touch of raw umber. Use yellow ochre and sap green sparingly to create muted greens for the trees.

techniques

·dry brushing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·broken color
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, painterly quality.
→Creating too much contrast and making the painting look harsh.
→Failing to establish a clear sense of depth and perspective.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not in harmony with the overall palette.