plate no. 6029

Via Toscanella

Ottone Rosai, 1922

oilExpressionismcityscapebuildingsstreetfigurescityscapearchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and simplified architectural rendering. It also offers practice in capturing light and shadow to create depth and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and the street, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and vanishing point(s).
step 03
Block in the main color areas for the buildings, street, and sky using thin washes.
step 04
Add darker tones to create shadows and define the architectural details.
step 05
Introduce lighter tones to suggest highlights and create a sense of depth.
step 06
Paint the figures with simple shapes and minimal detail, focusing on their silhouettes.
step 07
Refine the details of the buildings, adding windows and other architectural elements.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust the overall tonal balance.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · payne's gray · burnt sienna

Achieve the various earth tones by mixing yellow ochre, raw umber, and white in different proportions. Use Payne's gray to create cool shadows and atmospheric effects.

techniques