plate no. 5116

Street in Athens

Tivadar Kosztka Csontvary, 1904

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingsstreetfiguresskyarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective, color mixing for atmospheric effects, and capturing architectural details with simplified brushstrokes. It also provides practice in depicting figures within a landscape.

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 and the street, establishing the perspective lines.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: sky, buildings, and ground, using diluted washes.
step 03
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, balconies, and architectural features.
step 04
Mix and apply the colors for the figures, keeping them simple and suggestive.
step 05
Refine the shadows and highlights on the buildings to create depth and form.
step 06
Add details to the street, such as awnings and street furniture.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and add any final touches.
step 08
Add the lettering on the building.