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home·artworks·View of Rome
View of Rome by Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes

plate no. 0860

View of Rome

Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes, 1784

oilNeoclassicismlandscapecityscapearchitecturetreesskybuildingsdome
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering techniques to create depth. It also provides practice in rendering architectural details and foliage with simplified brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Prepare a toned canvas with a neutral color.

  2. step 02

    Lightly sketch the main shapes: horizon line, buildings, and tree masses.

  3. step 03

    Block in the sky with a gradient from light blue at the top to a warmer tone near the horizon.

  4. step 04

    Establish the distant hills and buildings with muted colors, paying attention to atmospheric perspective.

  5. step 05

    Paint the middle ground trees and buildings, adding more detail and color variation.

  6. step 06

    Add the foreground details, such as the wall and any reflections in the water.

  7. step 07

    Refine the details and adjust values to create depth and harmony.

  8. step 08

    Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form of the buildings and trees.

color palette

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

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow light · ivory black

Mix muted greens by combining yellow ochre, raw umber, and a touch of blue. Achieve atmospheric perspective by adding white to colors for distant elements.

techniques

  • ·atmospheric perspective
  • ·layering
  • ·dry brushing
  • ·scumbling
  • ·color mixing

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking details in the background
  • →Using colors that are too saturated
  • →Ignoring the effect of atmospheric perspective
  • →Creating harsh lines instead of soft transitions

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·ultramarine blue oil paint
  • ·raw umber oil paint
  • ·yellow ochre oil paint
  • ·titanium white oil paint
  • ·round brushes sizes 2, 4, 6
  • ·palette

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·linseed oil
  • ·odorless mineral spirits
  • ·easel

A pre-toned canvas will help to establish a unified color harmony. Use a limited palette to simplify color mixing.

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oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
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