plate no. 7565

Goriano Sicoli

M.C. Escher, 1929

lithography, paperRealismcityscapecityscapebuildingsmountainsvillageskyarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in linear perspective, value shading, and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also encourages careful observation of architectural details and landscape elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, village, and foreground elements, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and vanishing points for the perspective of the buildings.
step 03
Refine the outlines of the buildings, adding details such as windows, doors, and rooflines.
step 04
Begin shading the mountains, using darker values for the shadows and lighter values for the highlights.
step 05
Shade the buildings, paying attention to the direction of light and shadow to create a sense of depth.
step 06
Add details to the foreground elements, such as trees and vegetation, using varying values to create texture.
step 07
Refine the overall shading and add any final details, such as highlights on the buildings and mountains.
step 08
Review the artwork and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · black · white · gray

secondary ·

Varying the pressure and density of pencil strokes will achieve different shades of gray.

techniques

·hatching
·cross-hatching
·linear perspective
·value shading
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Incorrect perspective leading to distorted buildings.
→Lack of value contrast resulting in a flat image.
→Overworking the details and losing the overall composition.
→Inconsistent light source creating confusion in the shading.

materials

surface · smooth drawing paper

required

·graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
·drawing paper
·eraser
·ruler
·sharpener
·tortillon

optional

·kneaded eraser
·drawing board
·fixative spray

Use a variety of graphite pencils to achieve different values and textures. Start with lighter pencils and gradually move to darker pencils as needed.

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