plate no. 5429

Street in Montmartre

oil, panelPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingsstreettreesfiguresskycityscape

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing loose, expressive brushwork and capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise details. Students will learn to simplify shapes and use color to create depth and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and trees, focusing on proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the main colors of the sky, buildings, and ground with thin washes.
step 03
Add darker values to define shadows and create depth.
step 04
Apply thicker paint with visible brushstrokes to build texture and detail.
step 05
Mix and apply the greens of the trees, varying the shades to suggest light and shadow.
step 06
Add details like windows, doors, and figures with small brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the edges and add highlights to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium yellow light · cadmium red light · viridian green

Mix various shades of white with yellow ochre and burnt sienna to achieve the building colors. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky. Mix greens from yellow and blue.

techniques