plate no. 0938

Flowers in a Window

L. S. Lowry, 1956

oilExpressionismcityscapebuildingwindowflowersbrickdoorstreet

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting textures like brick and wood, and understanding atmospheric perspective through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth using simple shapes and lines.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes: the rectangle of the building, the window, and the doors.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the brick wall, the doors, and the sidewalk.
step 03
Begin adding details to the brickwork, using short, choppy brushstrokes.
step 04
Paint the window frame and the window panes, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 05
Add the details of the flowers in the window, keeping them simple and impressionistic.
step 06
Refine the details of the doors, adding the vertical lines and the arch at the top.
step 07
Add the details of the sidewalk, using horizontal lines to create the illusion of depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · red brick · gray · white

secondary · blue-gray · brown · black

Mix red brick by combining red, brown, and a touch of black. Vary the shade by adding white or more brown. Use gray as a base and add small amounts of other colors to create subtle variations.

techniques