plate no. 6147

Suburban Scene

oil, canvasNaïve Art (Primitivism)cityscapebuildingstreeswaterfiguresskyfence

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students understand simplified forms and color blocking, as well as how to create depth using atmospheric perspective and size relationships.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of the buildings, trees, and figures.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, water, and ground, using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Add the basic shapes of the buildings, using a light color for the walls and darker colors for the roofs.
step 04
Paint the trees, starting with the trunks and branches, and then adding small dabs of color for the leaves.
step 05
Add the fence and the figures, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 06
Refine the details of the buildings, such as the windows and doors.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Yellow ochre · Titanium white

secondary · Burnt sienna · Raw umber · Cadmium red

Mix the sky color by blending Prussian blue and white, adding a touch of yellow ochre for warmth. Achieve the water color by mixing Prussian blue with a touch of raw umber and white. Create the building colors by mixing white with small amounts of yellow ochre and burnt sienna.

techniques

·Flat color application
·Layering
·Simplified forms
·Atmospheric perspective
·Dry brushing for tree texture

common pitfalls

→Overcomplicating the details
→Using too many colors
→Ignoring the relative sizes of the objects
→Not creating enough contrast between the light and dark areas

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas
·Acrylic or oil paints
·Round brushes (small, medium)
·Flat brushes (medium)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits or water

optional

·Medium gloss
·Easel
·Rags

Using a limited palette will help to achieve the muted colors of the original painting. Acrylics are recommended for beginners due to their fast drying time and ease of use.

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