plate no. 1183

Hotel By A Railroad

Edward Hopper, 1952

oil, canvasNew Realismgenre paintinginteriorfigureswindowbuildingroomlight

some experience helpful

This painting is a good exercise in capturing light and shadow and creating a sense of atmosphere. Recreating it will help students develop skills in color mixing and creating realistic skin tones.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, paying attention to proportions and perspective.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the darkest shadows and working towards the highlights.
step 03
Refine the shapes and values, focusing on the light and shadow patterns.
step 04
Mix the skin tones carefully, using a limited palette of colors.
step 05
Add details to the figures and objects, such as the facial features and the folds in the clothing.
step 06
Pay attention to the edges of the shapes, softening some and sharpening others to create depth.
step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to unify the painting and add depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green

Mix various shades of gray and blue for the walls. Use yellow ochre and white for the building exterior. Create skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue.

techniques