plate no. 5982

Chimney and Water Tower

Charles Demuth, 1931

oil, panelPrecisionismcityscapefactorychimneywater towerbuildingsskyindustrial

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in geometric abstraction and precise color blocking. It also provides practice in creating depth through subtle value changes and atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, paying attention to the proportions of the chimney, water tower, and buildings.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and background.
step 03
Mix and apply the various shades of gray and red, focusing on achieving smooth transitions.
step 04
Add the details of the water tower structure and the windows of the buildings.
step 05
Refine the edges of the shapes to create a sense of sharpness and precision.
step 06
Add subtle highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Check the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.
step 08
Allow to dry completely and add a varnish layer.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · titanium white · lamp black

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

Mix various shades of gray by combining white, black, and a touch of blue or umber. Achieve the red tones by mixing cadmium red with small amounts of black or umber to create darker shades.

techniques