plate no. 7714

The platform of the Tournelle, Notre Dame

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingsstreetfigurestramsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing atmospheric perspective and rendering reflections on wet surfaces. It also provides practice in depicting figures and architectural details with loose, expressive brushstrokes.

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 buildings, tram, and figures.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of warm tones for the sky and cooler tones for the street.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the buildings and tram, paying attention to their relative values.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the figures with loose, gestural strokes, focusing on their silhouettes and interactions with the light.
step 06
Create the reflections on the wet street by mirroring the colors and shapes of the objects above.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium orange · viridian green · raw sienna

Mix yellow ochre and burnt umber for the warm tones of the buildings and street. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the darker shadows. Add titanium white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Mix cadmium orange and yellow ochre for the sky.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality of the original.
→Failing to capture the atmospheric perspective and creating a flat, two-dimensional image.
→Ignoring the reflections on the wet street and creating an unrealistic scene.
→Using colors that are too saturated and creating a garish effect.