plate no. 1930

View of Paris from Monmartre

Raoul Dufy, 1902

oilImpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingsskyfiguresstreetEiffel Tower

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values. It's a good exercise in capturing the impression of a place rather than its precise details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and the horizon line, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of blue, grey, and white, suggesting the clouds.
step 03
Establish the main color blocks for the buildings using a limited palette of browns, oranges, and whites.
step 04
Add darker values to create shadows and define the forms of the buildings.
step 05
Paint the street with warm yellows and browns, varying the tones to suggest unevenness.
step 06
Add small figures to the foreground to give a sense of scale.
step 07
Refine the details of the buildings and the sky, adding subtle color variations.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the impressionistic feel.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium orange · payne's gray · raw sienna

Mix different shades of gray by combining ultramarine blue, burnt umber, and white. Achieve warm browns by mixing burnt umber with yellow ochre and a touch of cadmium orange.

techniques