plate no. 7557

Brooklyn Bridge

George Luks, 1916

oil, canvasNew Realismcityscapebridgebuildingssnowcityscapesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive mood. It also encourages loose, expressive brushwork to capture the essence of the scene.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the bridge, buildings, and foreground, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Establish the overall dark, muted background using a mix of browns, blues, and grays.
step 03
Block in the larger shapes of the buildings with darker values, leaving space for highlights.
step 04
Add the snow-covered roofs and foreground using a mix of white, gray, and touches of yellow.
step 05
Introduce the red building as a focal point, using a slightly brighter shade of red.
step 06
Add details like windows, shadows, and highlights with small, deliberate brushstrokes.
step 07
Soften edges and blend colors where needed to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final touches of light to suggest the glow of city lights.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix raw umber and ultramarine blue for the dark, muted sky. Use white to lighten values and create snow effects. Add a touch of yellow ochre to the white for warmer highlights.

techniques