plate no. 1467

View Of The Observatory District

oilImpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingstreesskyarchitecturerooftops

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 complex architectural forms and foliage with loose brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and perspective lines, focusing on the placement of the buildings and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of blue and gray, suggesting cloud formations.
step 03
Block in the large masses of trees and foliage using varying shades of green.
step 04
Begin defining the architectural details of the buildings, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Add the rooftops and other foreground elements, using warmer tones and more defined brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the details of the buildings and trees, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Add final touches to the sky and foreground, blending colors and adjusting values as needed.
step 08
Sign and date the painting.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · raw umber · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · sap green · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · ivory black

Mix various shades of green by combining sap green with raw umber and yellow ochre. Create the sky by mixing cerulean blue with white and a touch of raw umber for a hazy effect. Achieve the rooftop colors by mixing burnt sienna with cadmium red and a touch of black.

techniques