plate no. 5753

The Tower Malakoff and the Trouville Shore

oilImpressionismcityscapebeachbuildingsskyfiguressandclouds

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the subtle color variations in light and shadow on different surfaces. It also offers practice in rendering figures in a landscape setting with loose brushwork.

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, shoreline, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky with broad strokes, blending blues and whites to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the buildings with light washes of color, paying attention to their relative values.
step 04
Add the sand and beach area, using a warm beige tone and varying the color slightly to suggest depth.
step 05
Introduce the figures on the beach, using simple shapes and dark tones to create silhouettes.
step 06
Develop the details of the buildings, adding windows, doors, and architectural features with small brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the sky and clouds, adding highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and movement.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the entire painting, paying attention to the overall balance and harmony.

color palette

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

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light · ivory black

Mix various shades of blue and white for the sky. Use yellow ochre and raw umber for the sand, adding white for highlights. Create the building colors by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·alla prima
·implied detail

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, losing the freshness and spontaneity of the impressionistic style.
→Creating too much contrast, resulting in a harsh and unnatural look.
→Ignoring the atmospheric perspective, causing the background to appear too sharp and defined.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, leading to a flat and uninteresting palette.