plate no. 1238

The Courtyard, Hotel Sauvage, Cassel, Nord

William Orpen, 1917

oilPost-Impressionismgenre paintingbuildingsfiguresstreetcourtyardhorsessky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting architectural forms with simplified shapes and rendering figures in a scene with loose brushwork. It also encourages observation of subtle color variations in light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and figures, focusing on proportions and perspective.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the buildings, sky, and ground using diluted washes.
step 03
Establish the darkest shadows and lightest highlights to create a sense of depth.
step 04
Begin adding details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the figures and horses, simplifying their forms and focusing on capturing their gestures and poses.
step 06
Refine the color palette by mixing subtle variations and applying them to the different surfaces.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to enhance the overall composition.
step 08
Review and adjust the painting, paying attention to the balance of colors, values, and textures.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · raw umber · cerulean blue

secondary · cadmium red light · burnt sienna · ivory black

Mix the building colors by combining yellow ochre, white, and small amounts of raw umber. Achieve the sky color by mixing cerulean blue with white and a touch of yellow. Use burnt sienna and raw umber for the horses.

techniques