plate no. 6226
Street from Barbizon during summer time
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice loose brushwork and capturing the overall impression of a scene rather than precise details. Students will also learn to mix subtle variations of color to create depth and atmosphere.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, street, trees, and figures, paying attention to perspective.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of blues and grays, suggesting cloud formations.
- step 03
Establish the main values of the buildings, using a limited palette of whites, grays, and browns.
- step 04
Paint the trees with loose, gestural strokes, mixing greens, yellows, and browns to create variations in foliage.
- step 05
Add the figures with quick, simplified brushstrokes, focusing on their silhouettes and placement within the scene.
- step 06
Refine the details of the street, using horizontal strokes to suggest the road surface and adding subtle variations in color.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension throughout the painting.
- step 08
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, or values.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · raw umber · yellow ochre
secondary · cadmium yellow · burnt sienna · ivory black
Mix grays by combining white, black, and a touch of blue or brown. Achieve greens by mixing blue and yellow, and adjust the tone with brown or white.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic effect.
- →Using too much paint and creating a muddy appearance.
- →Neglecting the importance of value contrast in creating depth.
- →Failing to capture the loose, gestural brushwork of the original painting.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a fast-drying medium to speed up the drying time.
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