plate no. 6350

Ciudá y abismos

Xul Solar, 1946

watercolor, temperaSurrealismcityscapecityscapebuildingsarchitecturefiguresbridgesfantasy

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in linear perspective, creating depth with value, and rendering architectural forms with simplified shapes. It also encourages imaginative composition and storytelling through visual elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings and bridges.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the sky and shadows using a dark brown or black.
step 03
Begin layering the lighter tones on the buildings and structures, using a diluted brown or gray.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features, using a fine brush or pen.
step 05
Create texture on the buildings by using dry brush techniques or hatching with a pencil.
step 06
Paint the figures and other small details, paying attention to their scale and placement within the scene.
step 07
Refine the values and add highlights to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust the overall composition as needed.

color palette

primary · sepia · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · raw umber · payne's gray

Mix sepia with white to create various shades of gray and brown. Use black sparingly for the darkest shadows. Add a touch of raw umber for warmer tones.

techniques