plate no. 7476

Illumination in St. Petersburg

oil, canvasRealismcityscapecityscapebuildingswaterfiguresnightdome

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the effects of light and shadow in a complex scene. It also provides practice in rendering reflections and suggesting detail with loose brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings, dome, and waterline.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of a neutral color like burnt umber.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the buildings and the dome, paying attention to their relative values.
step 04
Begin adding details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features, using a smaller brush.
step 05
Paint the sky, blending the colors to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 06
Add the figures in the foreground, simplifying their forms and focusing on their silhouettes.
step 07
Create the reflections in the water, using horizontal brushstrokes and slightly lighter values.
step 08
Add final highlights and details, such as the lights in the windows and the reflections on the wet pavement.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow

Mix ultramarine blue and burnt umber for the dark tones. Use titanium white to create lighter values and atmospheric effects. Add small amounts of yellow ochre or cadmium yellow for the warm light sources.

techniques