plate no. 8722
The Old Town Hall at Amsterdam
Pieter Saenredam, 1657
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in architectural rendering, perspective, and creating subtle color variations to depict aged surfaces. It also provides practice in painting figures within a cityscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main architectural elements, paying close attention to perspective and proportions.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and vanishing points to guide the perspective of the buildings.
- step 03
Block in the basic colors of the sky, buildings, and ground, focusing on overall values.
- step 04
Begin adding details to the buildings, such as windows, arches, and decorative elements.
- step 05
Develop the textures of the aged surfaces using layering and subtle color variations.
- step 06
Paint the figures in the foreground, paying attention to their proportions and placement.
- step 07
Add final details and highlights to create depth and realism.
- step 08
Glaze with thin washes to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · cerulean blue
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black
Mix various shades of gray and beige by combining white, umber, and small amounts of yellow ochre and burnt sienna. Achieve the sky color by mixing cerulean blue with white and a touch of raw umber.
techniques
- ·linear perspective
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color layering
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect perspective can ruin the realism of the architectural elements.
- →Overworking the details can make the painting look stiff and unnatural.
- →Using too much contrast can make the painting look harsh.
- →Neglecting the subtle color variations can make the buildings look flat.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·linseed oil
- ·round brushes (sizes 0, 2, 4)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 6, 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A smooth canvas surface will be easier to work with for the detailed architectural elements.
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