plate no. 7963

The Inn at Montigny les Cormeilles

oilRealismcityscapebuildingsvillageskylandscapehousesarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to depict form using subtle value changes and how to create a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in capturing architectural details with simplified brushstrokes.

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 buildings and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of grey and blue, allowing for variations in tone.
step 03
Establish the dark values of the roofs and shadows on the buildings using burnt umber and a touch of black.
step 04
Paint the lighter areas of the buildings with a mix of white and a small amount of ochre or grey.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and chimneys, using smaller brushes.
step 06
Create the distant landscape with muted greens and blues, softening the edges to suggest distance.
step 07
Refine the shadows and highlights to create a sense of depth and form.
step 08
Add final details, such as the figure and any small architectural elements.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black · raw sienna

Mix white with small amounts of umber and ochre to create the various shades of the buildings. Use blue and umber to create the grey tones for the sky and shadows.

techniques