plate no. 6896
The Outskirts of Paris
Diego Rivera, 1918
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations and learn how to create form with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes: the house, wall, and trees.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light washes of color.
- step 03
Establish the main color areas for the house, wall, and foliage using thin washes.
- step 04
Begin layering colors, focusing on capturing the subtle shifts in hue and value.
- step 05
Use short, directional brushstrokes to define the forms of the trees and foliage.
- step 06
Add details to the house, such as windows and roof tiles, using small, precise brushstrokes.
- step 07
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, paying attention to the overall harmony.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights to create depth and interest.
color palette
primary · red ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · viridian green · burnt umber · cadmium red
Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors (e.g., blue and orange) and adding white. Use a limited palette to create color harmony.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
- ·color layering
- ·directional brushstrokes
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Losing the overall composition by focusing too much on details early on.
- →Not varying brushstrokes enough, leading to a flat appearance.
- →Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the shadows and highlights.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the brushwork. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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