plate no. 3121

The chair factory at Alfortville

oil, canvasNaïve Art (Primitivism)cityscapefactorybuildingskycloudswaterroad

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex shapes and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also encourages careful observation of color and value relationships in a simplified manner.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the factory building, the smaller buildings, the road, and the canal.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blue, adding white and grey for the clouds.
step 03
Paint the factory building with its basic shapes and colors: white walls, red roof, and dark openings.
step 04
Add details to the factory, such as the windows, lettering, and subtle shadows.
step 05
Paint the smaller buildings and the trees in the background, simplifying their forms.
step 06
Block in the road with a mix of brown, ochre, and a touch of red.
step 07
Paint the canal with dark blue-green, reflecting the sky and surrounding landscape.
step 08
Add the figures and any final details, adjusting colors and values as needed.

color palette

primary · sky blue · titanium white · burnt sienna · cadmium red

secondary · raw umber · yellow ochre · sap green

Mix white with blue to create the sky, and add small amounts of raw umber to create the grey clouds. Mix burnt sienna, cadmium red, and yellow ochre to create the road color. Use raw umber and sap green for the trees.

techniques