plate no. 0591
Victor Hugo's House in Passages
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and the street, focusing on perspective.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas using thin washes of color, starting with the darkest values.
- step 03
Gradually build up the colors, adding more detail and texture with thicker paint.
- step 04
Pay attention to the direction of light and how it affects the colors and values.
- step 05
Use broken brushstrokes to create a sense of atmosphere and movement.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to define the forms and create depth.
- step 07
Refine the details, such as the windows and doors, using smaller brushes.
- step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · viridian · burnt sienna
Mix raw umber and white for the light stone. Use yellow ochre and raw umber for the warmer tones. Add a touch of viridian to the raw umber for the cooler shadows.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the shadows.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·viridian oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-textured canvas to allow for better paint adhesion and texture.
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