plate no. 8439

Apartment View

Wayne Thiebaud, 1993

oilExpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingswindowtablefoodshadows

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective, color mixing for light and shadow, and creating depth through layering and atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a scene with simplified forms and expressive brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the perspective of the street and buildings.
step 02
Block in the large shapes of the buildings, street, and window frame with thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns on the street and buildings, paying attention to the direction of the light.
step 04
Begin adding details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features, using a variety of brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the table and still life elements, focusing on their form and texture.
step 06
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, adjusting the contrast and adding highlights.
step 07
Add final details and touches to the painting, such as small figures or details on the buildings.
step 08
Let the painting dry completely and apply a protective varnish.

color palette

primary · titanium white · cadmium yellow · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of gray and brown for the buildings and street by combining ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, and titanium white. Use cadmium yellow and cadmium red to create warm highlights and shadows. Mix viridian green with yellow ochre to create the green tones in the curtain.

techniques