plate no. 5907

Street

Grant Wood, 1920

oilImpressionismcityscapebuildingsstreetcityscapefigureslamp postkiosk

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice loose brushwork and capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise details. It also provides practice in mixing muted colors and creating a sense of depth through color and value.

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 and composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings, kiosk, and lamp post.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, establishing the overall color scheme.
step 03
Begin building up layers of paint, using thicker brushstrokes to define the forms and add texture.
step 04
Focus on capturing the light and shadow patterns on the buildings and street.
step 05
Add details to the kiosk and lamp post, but keep them relatively loose and impressionistic.
step 06
Introduce figures and other small details to add life to the scene.
step 07
Refine the colors and values, paying attention to the overall harmony of the painting.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light

Mix muted tones by combining complementary colors (e.g., blue and orange) with white. Use raw umber and white for the buildings, and add touches of yellow ochre and burnt sienna for warmth.

techniques