plate no. 4682
Hochbahnhof Bülowstraße
Lesser Ury, 1922
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand how to depict light and reflections in a dark environment, and how to create atmospheric perspective using value and color.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
5
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the lights and the tunnel.
- step 02
Establish the dark background using a mix of blues, browns, and black.
- step 03
Block in the general shapes of the buildings and structures with dark tones.
- step 04
Begin adding the lights using yellows, oranges, and whites, focusing on their intensity.
- step 05
Create the reflections on the wet street by mirroring the lights and softening the edges.
- step 06
Add details to the buildings and structures, using subtle variations in tone and color.
- step 07
Refine the lights and reflections, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · cadmium yellow · burnt sienna
Achieve the dark background by mixing ultramarine blue and burnt umber. Use yellow ochre and cadmium yellow mixed with white for the lights. Add burnt sienna for warmer tones in the reflections.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·scumbling
- ·broken color
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the dark areas, losing the subtle variations in tone.
- →Making the lights too bright or uniform, failing to capture their intensity.
- →Not softening the edges of the reflections enough, making them look unnatural.
- →Ignoring the atmospheric perspective, making the background appear too sharp.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (#2, #6)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
Use a limited palette to achieve color harmony. Consider using a toned canvas to establish the dark background more easily.
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