plate no. 4742

The cafe of Paris corner

Grant Wood, 1920

oilImpressionismcityscapebuildingscafestreetfigurewindowsarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle tonal variations and learn to suggest details 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 and figures.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall tonal values.
step 03
Begin adding details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features.
step 04
Refine the colors and values, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Add the figures and details of the cafe scene.
step 06
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · sap green

Mix yellow ochre and burnt umber with white for the building walls. Use small amounts of red and blue to create variations in the shadows. Add green for the foliage.

techniques