plate no. 0997

The Piazzetta Looking South

oilBaroquecityscapebuildingskyfiguresarchitecturecityscapewater

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective, architectural rendering, and atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in capturing the subtle variations in light and shadow on a large structure.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main architectural elements, focusing on accurate perspective.
step 02
Block in the sky with a base layer of light blue, then add darker blues and grays for the clouds.
step 03
Establish the base colors for the building, using a mix of yellows and browns.
step 04
Begin adding details to the building, including windows, arches, and decorative elements.
step 05
Paint the figures in the foreground, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 06
Add the distant buildings and boats, using lighter values to create atmospheric perspective.
step 07
Refine the details of the foreground and add highlights to the building.
step 08
Add final details such as the flag and the subtle reflections on the water.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · raw umber

secondary · burnt sienna · titanium white · payne's gray

Achieve the building's color by mixing yellow ochre with small amounts of raw umber and burnt sienna. Use titanium white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Mix ultramarine blue and payne's gray for the sky and distant water.

techniques

·linear perspective
·atmospheric perspective
·glazing
·dry brushing
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Incorrect perspective on the building
→Overly saturated colors
→Lack of atmospheric perspective in the background
→Inaccurate proportions of figures

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, raw umber, burnt sienna, titanium white, payne's gray)
·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife