plate no. 2976

The Factory at Sevres

oil, canvasImpressionismcityscapebuildingskycloudstreesstreetfigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impressionistic brushwork and capturing atmospheric perspective. Students will also learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and color blocks.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the building, sky, and landscape, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Block in the main colors of the sky, using light blues and whites, blending loosely.
step 03
Establish the base colors for the building, using ochre, browns, and grays.
step 04
Paint the foliage with yellows, greens, and browns, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details to the building, such as windows and architectural features, using darker tones.
step 06
Define the street and figures with quick, gestural strokes.
step 07
Refine the sky and clouds, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add final touches and details to the foliage and foreground.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow · raw sienna

Mix various shades of blue and white for the sky. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber to create the building's earthy tones. Mix greens and yellows for the foliage.

techniques