plate no. 8727

View of Segovia

Joaquín Sorolla, 1906

oil, canvasImpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingshillsskycloudsarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, and in using expressive brushstrokes to suggest form and texture. It also provides practice in simplifying complex architectural details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, hills, and sky, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the main color masses for the sky, buildings, and landscape using thin washes.
step 03
Begin layering colors on the buildings, using warm yellows and oranges for the sunlit areas and cooler browns and grays for the shadows.
step 04
Develop the landscape by layering greens, browns, and ochres, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features, using a smaller brush.
step 06
Refine the sky, blending the colors to create a sense of atmosphere and movement.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to the landscape to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a harmonious and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · titanium white · cadmium orange · viridian green

Mix various shades of brown and ochre by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, and white. Create atmospheric blues for the sky by mixing ultramarine blue with white and a touch of burnt umber.

techniques

·broken color
·layering
·dry brush
·scumbling
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details of the buildings, losing the overall impressionistic effect.
→Creating muddy colors by over-mixing on the palette.
→Failing to establish a strong sense of light and shadow.
→Not simplifying the complex architectural details.