plate no. 3649

Windmills of Montmartre

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapewindmillsbuildingsfiguresstreetsky

some experience helpful

This painting provides a good opportunity to practice simplifying complex scenes and using visible brushstrokes to create texture. Students can learn to mix muted colors and create a sense of depth through atmospheric 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 windmills, buildings, and street, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: sky, buildings, street, and windmills.
step 03
Add details to the windmills, such as the sails and windows.
step 04
Develop the buildings with more specific colors and details, including the signs.
step 05
Paint the figures in the street, using simple shapes and colors.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details and add texture with visible brushstrokes.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix white with small amounts of raw umber and burnt sienna to create the various shades of gray and beige for the buildings and windmills. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky. Mix red and white for the pink building.

techniques