plate no. 7501

The Notre-Dame des Champs

oilImpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingsstreetsignsreflectionsfigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the essence of a scene with loose, expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in mixing muted colors and creating a sense of depth.

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 and perspective lines of the buildings and street.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color using thin washes, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Establish the darkest darks and lightest lights to create contrast.
step 04
Add details to the buildings and signs, using small, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Create the reflections on the street by mirroring the colors and shapes of the buildings above.
step 06
Soften edges and blend colors to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 07
Add the figure in the street with a few simple strokes.
step 08
Refine details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · cadmium yellow

Mix muted grays and purples by combining ultramarine blue, burnt umber, and white. Use yellow ochre and cadmium yellow for the warm highlights and reflections.

techniques