plate no. 0928

Theatre du Chatelet

oilImpressionismcityscapecityscapestreetbuildingstreesfiguresvehicles

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing atmospheric perspective and using broken color to create the illusion of light and movement. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into impressionistic brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: buildings, trams, trees, and the general street layout.
step 02
Block in the sky and ground with broad washes of color, establishing the overall value range.
step 03
Establish the main building masses, focusing on the warm light emanating from within.
step 04
Add the trams, using simplified shapes and colors, paying attention to reflections on the wet street.
step 05
Introduce the trees with thin, gestural strokes, suggesting branches and foliage.
step 06
Add figures using quick, suggestive brushstrokes, focusing on their silhouettes and movement.
step 07
Refine the reflections on the street, using horizontal strokes and varying the color and value.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white · cadmium yellow

secondary · viridian green · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of gray and blue for the sky and wet street. Use burnt sienna and cadmium yellow to create warm light for the buildings and trams. Mix greens with blue and yellow, and soften with white.

techniques