plate no. 7653

Cahil Expressway

Jeffrey Smart, 1962

oilPrecisionismcityscapecityscapebuildingsroadskyfigurestatue

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand perspective, color mixing to achieve muted tones, and the application of flat, even layers of paint to create a smooth surface.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying close attention to perspective and the placement of key elements like buildings, roads, and the figure.
step 02
Block in the large shapes with thin washes of color, establishing the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin refining the colors, mixing subtle variations to create depth and form.
step 04
Carefully paint the architectural details of the buildings and the statue.
step 05
Add the figure, paying attention to accurate proportions and color.
step 06
Refine the road and surrounding areas, adding details like the yellow lines.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors as needed to create a sense of harmony and balance.
step 08
Add final details and highlights.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors (e.g., red and green, blue and orange) with white. Use raw umber and yellow ochre as base colors for many of the elements.

techniques