plate no. 3332

The theater of the Comedie Francaise

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapecityscapefountainbuildingsfiguresstreetlightsnight

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective, capturing the effects of light and reflections on wet surfaces, and creating a sense of depth and distance in a complex urban scene.

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 fountain, buildings, and major figures.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of muted purples and blues for the sky and wet street.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the buildings and fountain, paying attention to their relative values.
step 04
Add the streetlights and window lights using warm yellows and oranges, reflecting them in the wet pavement.
step 05
Paint the figures and horse-drawn carriages, simplifying their forms and focusing on their silhouettes.
step 06
Develop the details of the fountain, including the flowing water and architectural elements.
step 07
Refine the reflections on the wet street, using horizontal strokes and varying the intensity of the colors.
step 08
Add final touches, such as the bare branches of the trees and the highlights on the figures.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · titanium white

Mix muted purples and blues for the sky and wet street by combining ultramarine blue, burnt umber, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Achieve the warm glow of the streetlights by mixing cadmium yellow with yellow ochre and a touch of burnt umber.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·scumbling
·broken color
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and unnatural look.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, leading to a flat and unconvincing composition.
→Ignoring the effects of light and reflection on the wet surfaces.
→Using colors that are too saturated, creating a garish and unrealistic effect.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·#4 round brush
·#8 flat brush
·palette knife
·ultramarine blue oil paint
·burnt umber oil paint
·yellow ochre oil paint
·titanium white oil paint

optional

·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette
·easel

Use a medium-grain canvas to allow for both detailed brushwork and textural effects. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

chat about this artwork

in this vein