plate no. 6769

The Triumphal Arc, Winter

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapecityscapesnowarchitecturefiguresstreethorse carriage

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 Arc de Triomphe and the street perspective.
step 02
Establish the sky and overall background tone with a thin wash of muted colors.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the Arc de Triomphe, buildings, and street using simplified forms.
step 04
Add the larger masses of snow on the ground and rooftops.
step 05
Begin defining the figures and the horse carriage, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 06
Introduce details like the streetlights, trolley, and reflections on the wet street.
step 07
Refine the brushwork, adding texture and highlights to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values to enhance the overall composition.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · viridian · cadmium yellow · burnt sienna

Mix muted grays and browns by combining ivory black, raw umber, and white. Use yellow ochre to warm the grays and create highlights. Add small amounts of viridian and cadmium yellow to create the green of the trolley.

techniques

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

common pitfalls

→Overworking details too early
→Creating muddy colors by over-mixing
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast
→Failing to establish a clear focal point

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, viridian, cadmium yellow, burnt sienna)
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·palette knife
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits