plate no. 4992

View of Paris from Meudon

Jury Annenkov, 1925

oilSymbolismcityscapecityscapebuildingsEiffel Towerfencetreesnight

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and forms. Students will also learn to use line work to define edges and add detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: buildings, Eiffel Tower, fence, and trees.
step 02
Block in the overall background color with a mid-tone blue.
step 03
Add darker blues to create shadows and depth in the buildings and trees.
step 04
Apply lighter blues to indicate highlights on the building facades and the distant city.
step 05
Use thin lines of black or dark brown to define the edges of the buildings, fence, and other details.
step 06
Add small touches of orange/red to the fence and building details.
step 07
Refine the details of the Eiffel Tower and the distant city skyline.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Ultramarine Blue · Titanium White

secondary · Burnt Sienna · Yellow Ochre · Black

Mix different shades of blue by adding white for highlights and black or burnt sienna for shadows. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna sparingly for warm accents.

techniques