plate no. 8992

The Apse of Notre Dame

Albert Marquet, 1901

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapecityscaperiverarchitecturetreesbuildingssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive and harmonious composition. It also provides practice in capturing light and shadow with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: Notre Dame, the riverbank, and the foreground street.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin layer of light blue.
step 03
Establish the basic colors of the buildings and river using broad strokes.
step 04
Add the darker tones to define the shadows and architectural details.
step 05
Paint the trees along the riverbank, varying the greens and browns.
step 06
Develop the foreground street with warm yellows and oranges, indicating the shadows of the trees.
step 07
Add small details like figures and vehicles to create a sense of scale and activity.
step 08
Refine the brushstrokes and adjust the colors to achieve the desired mood.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium yellow · viridian green · raw sienna

Mix greens by combining ultramarine blue and cadmium yellow. Achieve variations in browns by mixing burnt umber with yellow ochre and small amounts of blue. Use white to lighten values and create subtle color shifts.

techniques