plate no. 9029

The Victoria Embankment, London

oil, panelImpressionismcityscapecityscapestreetbuildingscarriagesfigurestrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice atmospheric perspective and learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values. It also provides an opportunity to work with a limited color palette to create a sense of unity and mood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings, street, and figures.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light gray, gradually darkening towards the horizon.
step 03
Establish the values of the buildings and street, using darker tones for areas in shadow.
step 04
Add the carriages and figures, simplifying their forms and focusing on their overall shapes.
step 05
Paint the trees and lampposts, using thin, broken lines to suggest their delicate branches.
step 06
Refine the details of the figures and carriages, adding subtle highlights and shadows.
step 07
Add final touches to the street and buildings, adjusting the values and colors as needed.
step 08
Glaze with a thin layer of color to unify the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix raw umber and white for the sky and buildings. Use burnt sienna and raw umber for the carriages and figures. Add a touch of ultramarine blue to darken the shadows.

techniques