plate no. 3910
Bergdorf Goodman NYC
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective, rendering architectural details, and creating atmospheric depth using a limited color palette. It also provides practice in capturing the nuances of light and shadow in an urban environment.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the basic perspective and composition, focusing on the converging lines of the buildings.
- step 02
Block in the large shapes of the buildings and street using a thin wash of neutral gray or brown.
- step 03
Establish the darkest values in the shadows of the buildings and under the awnings.
- step 04
Gradually build up the mid-tones and highlights, paying attention to the subtle variations in color temperature.
- step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features, using a small brush.
- step 06
Paint the figures and vehicles in the foreground, simplifying their forms and focusing on their silhouettes.
- step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.
- step 08
Add final touches and glazes to unify the painting and enhance the atmospheric effect.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
Achieve the various shades of gray and brown by mixing raw umber, ivory black, and titanium white in different proportions. Add small amounts of yellow ochre or burnt sienna to warm up the grays.
techniques
- ·linear perspective
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Getting the perspective wrong, leading to distorted buildings.
- →Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and unnatural look.
- →Using too much color, which can detract from the painting's muted atmosphere.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth, making the painting appear flat.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium alkyd
- ·varnish
Use a fine-grained canvas to allow for smooth blending and detailed brushwork.
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