plate no. 5230

Street Scene, Granada

Clarence Gagnon, 1904

oilImpressionismcityscapebuildingsstreetfigureshadowsarchitecturecityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in applying impressionistic brushstrokes and understanding how light and shadow define form. It's a good exercise in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

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 and the figure, focusing on proportions and perspective.
step 02
Establish the darkest shadow areas with a dark brown or black.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the buildings, street, and sky using broad brushstrokes.
step 04
Begin layering lighter tones on the sunlit areas of the buildings, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details to the windows and doors, paying attention to the shapes of the shadows.
step 06
Refine the figure with simple shapes and colors, suggesting form with light and shadow.
step 07
Add highlights and details to the street, using a dry brush technique to create texture.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black

Mix white with small amounts of raw umber and yellow ochre to create the various shades of the buildings. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, and add a touch of raw umber to create the shadows.

techniques