plate no. 8369

Street in Montmartre

Rudolf Schweitzer-Cumpana, 1932

oilImpressionismcityscapebuildingsstreetcityscapearchitecturewindowsalley

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impasto techniques and understanding how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve a harmonious, warm palette.

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 street, focusing on perspective.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber.
step 03
Block in the main color areas: the buildings, street, and sky, using a limited palette.
step 04
Apply thicker paint with visible brushstrokes to create texture and dimension.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to define the forms and create depth.
step 06
Refine the details of the windows, doors, and other architectural elements.
step 07
Adjust the color and value relationships to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final touches and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · cadmium red

Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna with white for the buildings. Use ultramarine blue and raw umber to create grays and blacks for shadows. Add small amounts of cadmium red to warm up the browns and yellows.

techniques