plate no. 3169

The Arcades of Fish shop, Dieppe

Walter Sickert, 1900

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingscityscapearchitectureskystreet

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms and using a limited palette to create atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a scene with loose, expressive brushstrokes.

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 and perspective of the buildings.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color with thin washes, focusing on value relationships.
step 03
Establish the sky color with blended strokes.
step 04
Build up the darker areas of the buildings, defining shadows and architectural details.
step 05
Add highlights to suggest light reflecting off surfaces.
step 06
Refine the details of the windows and arches.
step 07
Use thicker paint and bolder strokes to add texture and visual interest.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · raw umber · ivory black · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · burnt sienna

Mix raw umber and ivory black for the darker tones. Add yellow ochre and white to create lighter, warmer tones for the buildings and sky. Use burnt sienna sparingly for accents.

techniques