plate no. 1690
Industrial Landscape
L. S. Lowry, 1955
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth using limited color variations.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and layout of the buildings, chimneys, and other structures, focusing on the overall composition.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the basic divisions of the landscape.
- step 03
Block in the sky with a light gray or off-white, blending it slightly darker towards the top.
- step 04
Begin to fill in the larger shapes of the buildings and ground with muted colors, paying attention to the relative values.
- step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and doors, using a smaller brush.
- step 06
Paint the chimneys and smoke, using thin washes of gray and white to create a hazy effect.
- step 07
Add the figures in the foreground, simplifying them into basic shapes.
- step 08
Refine the details and add any final touches, such as highlights and shadows.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ivory black · burnt sienna
secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
Mix various shades of gray by combining white and black. Add small amounts of burnt sienna or yellow ochre to warm the grays. Use ultramarine blue to cool the grays.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·simplified forms
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Getting bogged down in details too early.
- →Making the colors too vibrant or saturated.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and distance.
- →Overworking the painting and losing the simplicity of the original.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil or acrylic medium
- ·mineral spirits or water for cleaning
optional
- ·easel
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Using a toned canvas (light gray or beige) can help to unify the colors and create a more muted effect.
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