plate no. 2310
Vue de Paris ou La Seine au point du jour
André Lhote, 1926
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand simplified forms and how to represent a complex scene with a limited palette. It also provides practice in creating atmospheric perspective and reflections in water.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: buildings, Eiffel Tower, riverbanks, and boats.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and grays, establishing the overall tone.
- step 03
Paint the distant buildings using simplified geometric shapes and muted colors.
- step 04
Add the Eiffel Tower, focusing on its basic structure and color variations.
- step 05
Block in the river with horizontal strokes, reflecting the colors of the sky and buildings.
- step 06
Paint the boats with their distinct shapes and colors, adding highlights and shadows.
- step 07
Add the smoke plumes, blending the edges to create a soft, atmospheric effect.
- step 08
Refine details and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired balance.
color palette
primary · gray · beige · brown · blue
secondary · red · yellow · white · black
Mix grays by combining white with small amounts of black, blue, and brown. Achieve the beige tones by mixing white, yellow, and a touch of brown. Use red and yellow sparingly for accents on the boats and buildings.
techniques
- ·blocking
- ·simplified shapes
- ·color mixing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·reflections
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the shapes and details.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Making the reflections too literal or detailed.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (12x24 inches)
- ·Acrylic or oil paints (gray, beige, brown, blue, red, yellow, white, black)
- ·Flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Rags or paper towels
optional
- ·Medium (for oil paints)
- ·Easel
- ·Reference photo print
Use good quality paints for better color mixing and longevity. A rectangular canvas format is recommended to match the original painting's proportions.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
