plate no. 8502

Street, Antibes

oilImpressionismcityscapecanalbuildingsbridgewaterboatssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective, color mixing for subtle variations, and capturing reflections in water. Students will also learn to simplify complex architectural details using impressionistic brushstrokes.

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 buildings, bridge, and canal.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: sky, buildings, water, and bridge, using thin washes.
step 03
Develop the sky with soft, blended brushstrokes, creating a sense of atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, using a variety of warm and cool tones to create depth and texture.
step 05
Paint the bridge, focusing on the subtle color variations and the play of light and shadow.
step 06
Create the reflections in the water, using broken brushstrokes and slightly darker values.
step 07
Add the boats and figures, simplifying the details and focusing on their overall shape and form.
step 08
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of realism and depth.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow

Mix various shades of gray for the sky by combining ultramarine blue, raw umber, and titanium white. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to create the warm tones of the buildings and bridge. Add small amounts of cadmium yellow for highlights.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·broken brushstrokes
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Using too much detail in the reflections
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing
→Ignoring the atmospheric perspective

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 12x16
·Oil paints: raw umber, titanium white, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, cadmium yellow
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags