plate no. 9559

Brieve

Ivan Albright, 1960

oilMagic Realismcityscapebuildingscityscapearchitecturestreetvegetationsky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in capturing the unique architectural details of a cityscape with expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and perspective lines of the buildings and surrounding elements.
step 02
Block in the sky with a wash of diluted yellow and grey.
step 03
Establish the main color blocks for the buildings, using a mix of browns, yellows, and whites.
step 04
Add darker tones to define shadows and architectural details, such as windows and brickwork.
step 05
Paint the vegetation with varying shades of green, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Refine the details of the buildings, including signage and decorative elements.
step 07
Add highlights to create a sense of light and dimension.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition, ensuring a balance of color and value.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · payne's gray

Mix yellow ochre with burnt umber and white to create the various shades of the buildings. Use cadmium red to add warmth to the brickwork. Mix sap green with payne's gray for the darker greens of the vegetation.

techniques