plate no. 5039

View of Malakoff Hauts de Seine

Henri Rousseau, 1903

oil, canvasNaïve Art (Primitivism)cityscapestreetbuildingstreesfiguresskytelephone poles

suitable for beginners

This painting is great for practicing simplified forms and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. Students will learn to mix muted tones and create a sense of naive charm.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the perspective of the road and the placement of buildings and trees.
step 02
Block in the sky with a base layer of gray, gradually adding subtle variations in tone.
step 03
Paint the buildings using simplified shapes and flat colors, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Add the trees and foliage, using a mix of greens and browns to create texture and depth.
step 05
Paint the road with a base color of gray-brown, then add highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth.
step 06
Add the figures, using simple shapes and colors to represent their forms.
step 07
Paint the telephone poles and wires, paying attention to their placement and perspective.
step 08
Add final details, such as the windows, doors, and foliage, to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · gray · green · brown · black

secondary · red · yellow · white

Mix grays by combining black and white with small amounts of brown or blue. Achieve greens by mixing blue and yellow, and browns by mixing red, yellow, and blue.

techniques