plate no. 0857

The Paul Street Boys

Endre Rozsda, 1934

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingscityscaperooftopsstructuresaerial view

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle tonal variations and in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and forms. It also encourages observation of light and shadow to define form.

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 composition of the buildings, focusing on their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the lightest tones and gradually adding darker values.
step 03
Mix a range of neutral colors using a limited palette to capture the subtle variations in tone and hue.
step 04
Apply paint with loose, visible brushstrokes, following the direction of the forms.
step 05
Define the edges of the buildings with slightly darker or lighter tones, creating a sense of depth and dimension.
step 06
Add small details, such as windows and doors, using a fine brush.
step 07
Refine the overall composition and color balance, making adjustments as needed.
step 08
Allow to dry and add a varnish layer for protection.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

Achieve the muted tones by mixing the primary colors with white and small amounts of blue or sienna to adjust the temperature. Use raw umber and white for many of the grays.

techniques

·blocking in
·broken color
·scumbling
·limited palette
·tonal painting

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, painterly quality.
→Using too many colors and creating a muddy or chaotic effect.
→Failing to accurately capture the subtle tonal variations.
→Ignoring the direction of the brushstrokes and creating a flat, lifeless surface.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, raw umber, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue)
·palette
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife