plate no. 2421

Une élégante place de la Concorde

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitfigureportraitdresshatbuildingcityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for subtle variations, and creating atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering fabric and details like the hat and embellishments.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in the main areas of color with thin washes.
step 03
Begin building up layers of color on the figure, focusing on the subtle variations in tone and hue.
step 04
Pay close attention to the folds and drapery of the dress, using light and shadow to create form.
step 05
Add details to the face, hat, and embellishments, using smaller brushes.
step 06
Refine the background, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall effect.
step 08
Step back and make any necessary adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · purple · blue · cream · beige

secondary · gold · grey · pink

Achieve the various shades of purple by mixing ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson, and white. Use yellow ochre and white to create the warm beige tones of the background. Add small amounts of burnt umber to darken the colors.

techniques