plate no. 4589

Vue sur les toits de Paris

Le Corbusier, 1917

oilExpressionismcityscapewindowcityscaperooftopstreesskybuildings

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve muted tones and layering brushstrokes to create texture and depth. It's a good exercise in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and colors.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the window frame and the general shapes of the cityscape and trees.
step 02
Block in the sky with a dark blue-grey, using broad brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the main colors of the buildings and rooftops, using muted tones of grey, blue, and pink.
step 04
Paint the trees with a mix of light green, yellow, and blue, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest foliage.
step 05
Add details to the window frame, using darker blues and greys to create shadows and depth.
step 06
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, paying attention to the overall harmony.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to create a sense of light and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Titanium White · Yellow Ochre

secondary · Burnt Sienna · Cadmium Red Light

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors (e.g., blue and orange) with white. Use a limited palette to maintain color harmony.

techniques

·Layering
·Dry brushing
·Color mixing
·Simplifying shapes

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
→Neglecting the importance of value contrast.
→Not simplifying the complex cityscape into basic shapes.

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Acrylic or Oil paints
·Round brushes (various sizes)
·Flat brushes (various sizes)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
·Linseed oil (if using oil paints)

optional

·Medium gloss
·Easel
·Rags

Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for better paint adhesion. Consider using a toned canvas (e.g., light grey or beige) to help establish the overall color harmony.

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