plate no. 3153

The Belfry of Douai

oil, canvasRealismcityscapecityscapebuildingsstreettowerfiguressky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering architectural forms with loose brushwork. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and scale within a cityscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the perspective of the street and the placement of the buildings and tower.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of blue and gray, blending the colors to create a soft, cloudy effect.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the buildings with light washes of yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Add details to the tower and buildings, using smaller brushes to create the architectural features.
step 05
Paint the street with a mix of earth tones, varying the colors to suggest the uneven surface.
step 06
Add the figures and horse-drawn cart, keeping them small and simple to maintain the sense of scale.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw umber

Achieve the various tones of the buildings by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white in different proportions. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, and add a touch of raw umber for the shadows.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·loose brushwork
·scumbling
·glazing
·value control

common pitfalls

→getting the perspective wrong
→overworking the details
→making the colors too saturated
→failing to create a sense of depth

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt sienna, titanium white, ultramarine blue, raw umber)
·palette
·linseed oil
·#2 round brush
·#6 flat brush
·odorless mineral spirits