plate no. 1417

Excavation. Penn Station

Ernest Lawson, 1906

oil, canvasImpressionismcityscapecityscapeconstructionfigurescranesbuildingsexcavation

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering paint to create texture and capturing atmospheric perspective with subtle color variations. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

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 excavation pit, cranes, and buildings.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or raw sienna.
step 03
Block in the main color areas, starting with the sky and background buildings, then moving to the excavation site and foreground.
step 04
Begin layering paint with visible brushstrokes, using thicker paint for areas of detail and texture.
step 05
Pay attention to the direction of light and shadow, adding highlights and dark accents to create depth.
step 06
Refine the details of the figures and machinery, using smaller brushes and more precise strokes.
step 07
Add final touches of color and texture to create a sense of atmosphere and movement.
step 08
Allow to dry and add a varnish coat.

color palette

primary · raw sienna · burnt umber · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, and titanium white. Use small amounts of ultramarine blue and cadmium red to create subtle color variations in the sky and buildings.

techniques