plate no. 9814

The confessional

Antonio Sicurezza, 1964

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingfiguresarchitecturedoorwayinteriorcityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting architectural forms with simplified shapes and understanding warm and cool color relationships to create depth. It also provides practice in capturing figures in a scene with minimal detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the building, doorway, and figures, focusing on proportions and perspective.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, starting with the background wall and floor.
step 03
Add darker values to define the shadows and architectural details, such as the columns and window frame.
step 04
Mix and apply the colors for the confessional, paying attention to the subtle variations in tone.
step 05
Paint the figures with simple shapes and colors, capturing their posture and placement within the scene.
step 06
Refine the details of the architectural elements, such as the brickwork and textures.
step 07
Add highlights to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · purple · raw sienna · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and ochre by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and yellow ochre with white. Use purple sparingly for accents and shadows.

techniques