plate no. 2515

The Pantheon seen from rue Soufflot. Paris.

Arturo Souto, 1941

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingsfountainfigurestreessky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impressionistic brushwork and color mixing to create atmospheric perspective. Students will also learn to simplify complex architectural forms using loose, expressive strokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the Pantheon and the buildings.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the perspective of the street.
step 03
Block in the main color areas: sky, buildings, ground, and trees.
step 04
Begin adding details to the buildings, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the fountain, capturing the reflections and movement of the water.
step 06
Add figures and carriages to populate the scene, keeping them simple and suggestive.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall effect.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · viridian green

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining burnt umber, ultramarine blue, and white. Use yellow ochre and white for the sunlit areas of the buildings. Achieve the sky color by mixing ultramarine blue with white and a touch of yellow ochre.

techniques