Mastering The Art Of Painting European Streetscapes

Capturing the essence of a European street scene from above can be a captivating painting subject, especially for those drawn to the allure of old streets and historical urban landscapes. The foundation of such a painting lies in the quality of materials chosen and the techniques employed. The scene can be made as detailed or impressionistic as desired, with the option to include interesting elements like trees, vehicles, streetlights, and buildings in proper perspective. The time of year, lighting, and colours used can also play a significant role in setting the atmosphere and tone of the painting.

Choosing a surface and materials

When it comes to painting a European street scene from above, the surface and materials you choose are crucial. They will impact the overall look and feel of your artwork, so it's important to select them carefully. Here are some factors to consider when choosing your surface and materials:

Surface:

The surface you choose will depend on the painting style you prefer and the level of detail you want to achieve. For a European street scene, you might opt for a textured surface that can capture the intricate details of the architecture and cobblestone roads. A linen panel, as suggested by artist Samuel Earp, can be an excellent choice. He recommends an oil-primed, medium-weave linen mounted on Baltic birch for the ideal texture and stability. The linen provides a beautiful surface for precise brushwork, while the oil priming adds a rich depth to your colours.

Paint Type:

The type of paint you choose will depend on your personal preference and the effects you want to achieve. Oil paints are a classic choice for street scenes, offering rich, nuanced colours and a luminous finish. They also allow for a slower drying time, giving you more flexibility during the painting process. Acrylic paints, on the other hand, are a more affordable and quicker-drying option. They are perfect for creating vibrant, warm undertones and are ideal for layering and glazing techniques.

Colour Palette:

When it comes to your colour palette, consider the mood and atmosphere you want to convey. Street scenes often involve a range of dark and light values to capture the essence of old buildings, cobblestone roads, and the play of light and shadow. For darker values, a mixture of ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, and raw umber can be used to represent shadows and recessed areas. For lighter values, titanium white and yellow ochre can be added to the mixture to capture the sunlight and highlights.

Brushes and Tools:

The brushes and tools you choose will depend on the level of detail you want to achieve. For intricate details, smaller round brushes (size 3 or smaller) are ideal. For larger areas and looser brushwork, a flat brush (size 6 or larger) can be used. A mahl stick can be helpful for painting straight lines, such as window frames and power poles. Additionally, a palette knife can be a great tool for creating texture and mixing colours on your palette.

Additional Materials:

Don't forget the additional materials that will enhance your painting process. A ruler can be useful for creating perspective construction lines, especially when painting the steep angles of European architecture. A soft cloth or paper towel is essential for wiping away mistakes or creating a toned canvas. Finally, consider a good-quality varnish to protect your artwork once it's complete.

Remember, the surface and materials you choose are a personal choice and can be tailored to your unique artistic style. Experiment with different options and find what works best for capturing the beauty of a European street scene from above.

Sketching the composition

When painting a European street scene from above, the composition of your sketch is key. This will be the foundation of your artwork. You can start by choosing your materials, selecting a surface that will enhance the final result and make the painting process more enjoyable. Consider the quality of the materials and how they will be used. For instance, you might opt for an oil-primed, medium-weave linen mounted to Baltic birch, which can provide an ideal texture for capturing intricate details and offering stability for precise brushwork.

Next, you can sketch out the composition. You can use a pencil to draw straight onto the canvas, or a brush and paint if you prefer. Consider the perspective you wish to capture. A one-point perspective can help create the illusion of deep space or depth in your work. This can be achieved by using a horizon line and a single vanishing point. You can also play around with the positioning of elements in the composition to create a sense of balance and rhythm. For example, you might use an 'S' composition, where the road leads the eye in an 'S' shape towards the focal point of the painting.

The focal point, or points of interest, are important to consider when sketching. In a street scene, this could be a vehicle, a particular building, or a tree. You can use other elements to lead the eye towards this focal point, such as road markings, streetlights, or power poles. Try to avoid having centred objects, centred lines, or repeating masses as this can spoil the composition.

When sketching, you can start by establishing the dark values in the painting, such as shadows, and then work towards the lighter values. Consider the colours you will use for each element and how you can create natural-looking shades by combining certain colours. For example, ultramarine blue and burnt sienna make nice natural-looking greys, and you can adjust the value with titanium white. For a wintery scene, keep to a cool-tone palette and knock back warm tones.

Establishing dark values

When painting a street scene, establishing the dark values first is a good approach. This can be done by sketching out the composition with a dark-coloured paint, such as burnt sienna, mixed with Liquin Original to improve the flow of the paint and speed up drying time. This initial sketch will form the basis of the darker areas of the painting, such as shadows.

For a street scene, the shadows cast by trees and buildings are important elements to capture. To mix the right shade for shadows, a combination of ultramarine blue and yellow oxide can be used. A darker shadow can be achieved by adding more ultramarine blue to the mix. This darker shade can be used for the shadows in the road and the house in the background.

The sky, which is often a key feature in street scenes, can be painted with a mix of French ultramarine and white, fading into a pink horizon above the trees. This will create a sense of depth and perspective in the painting. The road can be painted with the same colours used for the shadows, but with the addition of titanium white to create a lighter grey.

Using a flat brush, the mid-tones of the painting can be blocked in. This involves using burnt sienna for the mid-tone and mixing it with French ultramarine blue to create progressively darker shades until reaching black. This technique can be used to add depth and dimension to the painting, especially when capturing the details of buildings and other structures in the scene.

By establishing the dark values first, you create a foundation for the rest of the painting and can then build up the lighter values and details in subsequent layers. This approach helps to ensure that the shadows and darker areas of the street scene are accurately captured and creates a sense of depth and contrast in the final artwork.

Adding details and highlights

When it comes to adding details and highlights to your European street scene painting, there are several techniques and considerations to keep in mind. Here are some instructive paragraphs to guide you through the process:

Composition and Focal Points

Start by identifying the key elements that will be the focal points of your painting. This could be a prominent tree, a vehicle, a street light, or a specific building. Compose your scene in a way that leads the viewer's eye towards these focal points. You can achieve this by using an "S" composition, where the road or a similar element curves subtly to guide the viewer's gaze. Additionally, consider the rule of thirds and avoid placing objects, lines, or masses at the centre of your composition to maintain visual interest.

Colour Palette and Lighting

The colours you choose for your painting will depend on the lighting conditions you want to depict. For a sunny scene, you might use warmer tones, while a wintery scene would call for cooler tones. Use highlights to accentuate your focal points and bring them to the forefront of the painting. Reserve your lightest lights for the end, adding pure white to areas where sunlight hits the strongest, such as rooftops and fields. If painting a night scene, streetlights and illuminated windows can serve as sources of light and colour within the composition.

Details and Texture

Incorporate details such as road markings, traffic lights, signs, and pedestrians to bring your scene to life. Use a mix of colours to create realistic skin tones for any figures in your painting. When painting architectural elements like buildings and cobblestone paths, consider using Liquin to improve the flow of your paint and facilitate smooth, precise lines. Add texture to foliage by using a dagger brush and layering lighter and darker shades of green. For a snow-laden street scene, create highlights by bouncing a prominent colour, such as red, around the painting to establish symmetry.

Materials and Brushwork

The materials you choose can greatly impact the final result and the enjoyment of your painting process. Select a surface that enhances your chosen subject matter and allows for intricate details and precise brushwork. For example, a linen panel with a medium weave can provide the ideal texture for capturing the details of a street scene. Use a variety of brush sizes and types to achieve different effects. Flat brushes are suitable for painting skies and roads, while round brushes can be used for sketching compositions. A dagger brush is ideal for painting foliage and creating textured effects.

Final Touches and Refinement

Once your painting has dried, assess your work and make any necessary adjustments. Refine the details in the foreground and background elements, ensuring that the highlights and shadows align with the structures and composition. Remember, you can always add more details and highlights in layers, gradually building up the depth and complexity of your European street scene.

Capturing the atmosphere

The composition of the painting is another crucial aspect. When painting en plein air, the scene's various elements, such as houses, trees, power poles, and roads, can be arranged to create balance and rhythm. For instance, an "S" composition can be formed by using the road to lead the viewer's eye towards a focal point, such as a large tree in the background. This technique adds interest and depth to the painting.

To further enhance the atmosphere, the use of colour is vital. For a wintery scene, cool tones should dominate, with warm tones knocked back. Shades of grey can be created by mixing ultramarine blue and burnt sienna, which are opposite on the colour wheel, for a natural look. For snow-laden scenes, a mix of French ultramarine and white captures the sky, while burnt sienna with white creates a creamy white for highlights.

When painting a street scene from above, perspective is key to creating a sense of depth. Using a one-point perspective with a horizon line and a single vanishing point helps achieve this. Vertical and horizontal brushstrokes following the direction of the road can also guide the viewer towards the focal point.

Lastly, attention to detail is important in capturing the atmosphere. For a snowy scene, strong directional brushstrokes for the road ensure the underpaint is visible, adding texture. Figures in warm colours with long shadows add life, while highlights in pure white indicate areas of direct sunlight. These techniques together help convey the atmosphere of a European street scene from a unique aerial perspective.

Frequently asked questions