plate no. 5773

Street in Athens

oilImpressionismcityscapebuildingsstreettreesfigureskycityscape

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes to depict light and form. Students will learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and color blocks.

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 of the buildings, trees, and figures, focusing on composition.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blue, using broken brushstrokes to suggest clouds.
step 03
Establish the main color blocks for the buildings using a mix of yellows, oranges, and reds.
step 04
Add shadows and highlights to the buildings, using cooler tones for shadows and warmer tones for highlights.
step 05
Paint the trees with greens and browns, using short, choppy brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Add the figures in the street, simplifying their forms and using similar colors to the surrounding buildings.
step 07
Refine the details and add texture with thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and light.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt sienna · viridian green · cadmium yellow

Mix white with yellow ochre and a touch of red for the sunlit walls. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna for shadows. Mix greens from blue and yellow.

techniques