plate no. 0005

Street in Sofia

Nikola Tanev, 1939

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingsstreetfiguresshadowsarchitecturecityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting light and shadow on complex forms and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in simplifying details and capturing the essence of a scene with expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and perspective lines of the buildings and street.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Establish the darkest shadows and brightest highlights to create a strong sense of contrast.
step 04
Refine the shapes of the buildings and add details like windows and architectural elements.
step 05
Paint the figures in the street, keeping them simple and suggestive.
step 06
Add details to the shadows and highlights, paying attention to the way light interacts with the surfaces.
step 07
Soften edges and blend colors where necessary to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and adjustments to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · titanium white · raw umber

Mix various shades of warm yellows and oranges for the sunlit areas. Use blues and browns to create cool shadows. Add white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques