plate no. 9106

Street in Pontoise

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingsstreettreesskycityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in using broken color to represent light and shadow. It also provides practice in simplifying complex architectural forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the perspective of the street and the placement of the buildings and tree.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of blue and white, allowing for some variation in tone.
step 03
Establish the basic colors of the buildings and street using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 04
Layer in darker values to define shadows and create depth.
step 05
Add highlights to suggest sunlight and create a sense of form.
step 06
Paint the tree using a mix of greens and pinks, applying short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Refine the details of the buildings, adding windows and other architectural elements.
step 08
Adjust the overall color harmony and value contrast to create a cohesive and atmospheric effect.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white · cerulean blue

secondary · cadmium red light · sap green · violet

Mix various shades of earth tones by combining yellow ochre, raw umber, and white. Use small amounts of red and green to create subtle variations in the building colors. Mix blue and white for the sky, and add a touch of violet for the distant hills.

techniques

·broken color
·layering
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details of the buildings, resulting in a stiff and unnatural appearance.
→Failing to establish a clear sense of perspective, causing the composition to feel flat and confusing.
→Using too much pure color, resulting in a harsh and unrealistic effect.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in tone and color, leading to a monotonous and lifeless painting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints (yellow ochre, raw umber, titanium white, cerulean blue, cadmium red light, sap green)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·rags