plate no. 9196

Street in Portsmouth

Childe Hassam, 1917

oilImpressionismcityscapebuildingstreesskystreetarchitecturefoliage

some experience helpful

This painting offers a good opportunity to practice loose watercolor washes and capturing light and shadow on architectural forms. Students can develop skills in creating depth through layering and color variation.

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 horizon line.
step 02
Apply a light wash of blue for the sky, allowing it to blend and vary in tone.
step 03
Paint the distant background elements (lighthouse, hills) with diluted washes of green and gray.
step 04
Begin layering washes on the buildings, using a mix of grays, blues, and yellows to create shadows and highlights.
step 05
Add the darker accents of the windows and shutters with a smaller brush.
step 06
Paint the foliage using a variety of greens and blues, suggesting the shapes of leaves with loose brushstrokes.
step 07
Add details to the foreground, such as the fence and street, using similar techniques.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · raw sienna · payne's gray

secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow pale · alizarin crimson

Mix grays by combining Payne's gray with raw sienna or burnt umber. Create variations in the greens by mixing sap green with cadmium yellow or cerulean blue. Use alizarin crimson sparingly to add warmth to shadows.

techniques