plate no. 4507

The Beguine Convent in Bruges

Gustave de Smet, 1906

oilImpressionismcityscapebuildingstreescityscapewallsfoliagesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create texture and depth, and in using short brushstrokes to build up form. It also provides practice in capturing atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, trees, and walls, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by applying thin washes of color to the canvas.
step 03
Begin layering colors to create the texture of the walls, buildings, and foliage, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 04
Focus on the trees, using a variety of yellows, oranges, and browns to capture the light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the windows and doors, using a contrasting color to make them stand out.
step 06
Refine the foreground with greens and browns, suggesting grass and a pathway.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and add highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add final details and touch-ups to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · sap green · burnt sienna

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Achieve the building's color by mixing burnt sienna, white, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Create variations in the foliage by adding small amounts of cadmium yellow or ultramarine blue to the base colors.

techniques

·broken color
·impasto
·scumbling
·layering
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them.
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, titanium white, sap green, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·rags