plate no. 3491

The cathedral and square, Szatmar

Marianne Stokes, 1909

oilImpressionismcityscapecathedralsquaretreesbuildingsfigurescityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve muted tones and in simplifying complex architectural forms into basic shapes. It also provides practice in creating atmospheric perspective and depicting a bustling urban scene.

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 of the cathedral, surrounding buildings, and the layout of the square.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the main areas of the foreground, middle ground, and background.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the sky, buildings, and ground using diluted washes.
step 04
Add the darker tones to define the shadows and architectural details of the cathedral.
step 05
Paint the trees using a combination of dark and light greens, suggesting foliage with broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Indicate the figures in the square with small, simplified shapes and touches of color.
step 07
Refine the details of the foreground elements, such as the trees and the water feature, adding texture and depth.
step 08
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to create a harmonious and atmospheric effect.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · sap green · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · cadmium yellow light

Mix yellow ochre with raw umber and white for the cathedral's walls. Use ultramarine blue and raw umber for the darker greens of the trees. Add alizarin crimson to raw umber for the roof.

techniques