plate no. 2299

City view with figures

oilRomanticismcityscapecityscapebuildingfiguresmarketskytrees

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective, rendering architectural details, and creating atmospheric depth through value and color variations. It also provides practice in painting figures in a crowd and capturing the overall mood of a bustling city scene.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch, establishing the perspective lines and the placement of the main architectural elements (building, tower).
step 02
Block in the basic shapes of the buildings and the sky, using thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the main light source and begin to define the shadows on the buildings.
step 04
Start adding details to the architecture, such as windows, arches, and decorative elements.
step 05
Block in the figures in the foreground, focusing on their general shapes and positions.
step 06
Add details to the figures, such as clothing and facial features.
step 07
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, paying attention to the atmospheric perspective.
step 08
Add final details, such as highlights and shadows, to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · raw sienna · ivory black

Achieve the muted tones by mixing the primary colors with each other and with white. Use burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the darker shadows. Mix yellow ochre and white for the lighter areas of the sky and buildings.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·linear perspective
·glazing
·scumbling
·rendering architectural details

common pitfalls

→Incorrect perspective
→Overly bright colors
→Lack of value contrast
→Ignoring atmospheric perspective
→Getting lost in details too early

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·burnt umber oil paint
·yellow ochre oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·ultramarine blue oil paint
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·linseed oil

optional

·palette knife
·turpentine
·medium gloss
·easel

Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas (e.g., with a thin wash of burnt umber) to help establish the overall value range.

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