plate no. 6622
City Building
Thomas Hart Benton, 1931
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, perspective, and creating dynamic compositions. It also provides practice in mixing and applying a limited color palette to achieve a cohesive and stylized look.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and placement of key elements.
- step 02
Block in the major shapes and forms with thin washes of color, focusing on value relationships.
- step 03
Develop the figures, paying attention to anatomy and proportions.
- step 04
Add details to the machinery, buildings, and ship, using perspective to create depth.
- step 05
Refine the color palette by mixing and layering colors to achieve the desired tones.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension.
- step 07
Glaze over areas to unify the color and create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · raw umber · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · cadmium red
secondary · titanium white · ivory black · burnt sienna
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, ultramarine blue, and cadmium red with white and black. Use yellow ochre to create warm highlights and burnt sienna for reddish-brown tones.
techniques
- ·figure drawing
- ·linear perspective
- ·color mixing
- ·glazing
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of figures
- →Inaccurate perspective
- →Muddy color mixtures
- →Overworking details too early
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·assorted brushes
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Tempera is the original medium, but oil paint is more accessible for most students.
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