plate no. 2270

The Village of Chartres, Eure-et-loir, France

oilImpressionismcityscapecityscapearchitecturetreesfiguresbuildingssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the subtle variations in light and shadow across a complex scene. It also provides practice in rendering textures of stone, foliage, and sky with loose brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the main shapes and perspective lines of the buildings, trees, and road.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light blue, gradually adding subtle variations in tone.
step 03
Establish the basic shapes of the buildings and trees with mid-tone colors, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 04
Develop the details of the architecture, paying attention to the textures of the stone and the placement of windows and doors.
step 05
Add the foliage of the trees, using a variety of greens and browns to create depth and texture.
step 06
Paint the road and foreground, using warm earth tones and broken brushstrokes to suggest the texture of the ground.
step 07
Add the figures and carts, paying attention to their placement and scale within the scene.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cerulean blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · sap green

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining umber, sienna, and blue. Use white to lighten values and create highlights. Achieve greens by mixing blue and yellow.

techniques