plate no. 8267

West Chester Court House

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)cityscapecourthousetreesstatueAmerican flagbuildingstreet lamps

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and practice creating depth through layering and value contrast. It also provides practice in painting geometric forms and basic perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the courthouse, trees, and statue, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blue, leaving space for the clouds.
step 03
Paint the large areas of color for the courthouse, using a mix of red and brown.
step 04
Add the dark green for the trees, varying the tone slightly to create depth.
step 05
Paint the statue and street lamps with dark values, creating contrast.
step 06
Add details like windows, the clock tower, and the American flag.
step 07
Paint the small American flags and the brick base of the statue.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to create dimension.

color palette

primary · red-brown · dark green · light blue · white

secondary · yellow · black · gray

Mix red and brown to achieve the courthouse color. Vary the green by adding small amounts of black or yellow. Use white to lighten the blue for the sky and create highlights.

techniques