plate no. 5142

Street from Bretania

oilImpressionismcityscapebuildingsstreetcityscapearchitecturesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in light and shadow, as well as practice creating depth and perspective through the use of atmospheric perspective and diminishing detail.

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 perspective lines of the buildings and street.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, buildings, and street using thin washes.
step 03
Establish the darkest shadows and lightest highlights to create a sense of form.
step 04
Begin adding details to the buildings, such as windows, doors, and rooflines, using thicker paint and more defined brushstrokes.
step 05
Mix and apply subtle color variations to the buildings and street to create depth and interest.
step 06
Add small details like flower boxes and architectural elements.
step 07
Refine the edges of the buildings and shapes to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall impression of light and form.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow · ultramarine blue

Mix yellow ochre and white for the sunlit areas of the buildings. Use raw umber and burnt sienna for the shadows. Add small amounts of blue to the sky and distant buildings to create atmospheric perspective.

techniques