plate no. 9079

Suresnes

Maurice de Vlaminck, 1919

oil, canvasCubismcityscapecityscapebuildingschimneysskysmokerooftops

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into geometric shapes and using bold brushstrokes to create texture and form. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve a limited but expressive palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition of the buildings and sky.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and then the buildings.
step 03
Define the shapes of the buildings with darker and lighter values, using bold brushstrokes.
step 04
Add details such as windows, chimneys, and rooftops, simplifying them into geometric forms.
step 05
Mix and apply the colors for the smoke, blending them slightly to create a hazy effect.
step 06
Refine the edges of the shapes and add any final details.
step 07
Add the tree in the foreground.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall balance and harmony of the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black · cadmium red

Mix blues and whites for the sky, adding touches of burnt sienna for depth. Use burnt sienna and white for the buildings, adding touches of yellow ochre and red for variation. Mix black and white for the smoke, adding touches of blue or brown to soften the color.

techniques