plate no. 6671

Labor City

Victor Zaretsky, 1979

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)cityscapecityscapebuildingssnownighttreesfigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors, creating atmospheric perspective, and capturing the essence of light in a cityscape. It also encourages experimentation with textures and brushstrokes to depict various elements like snow and foliage.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and the street layout, focusing on perspective.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of blues and purples for the sky and background.
step 03
Begin layering in the darker tones for the buildings, trees, and shadows.
step 04
Add highlights and details to the buildings, including the windows and architectural features.
step 05
Create the snow texture using a combination of dry brush and stippling techniques.
step 06
Paint the figures on the street, paying attention to their relative size and placement.
step 07
Add the lights and reflections, using brighter colors to create a sense of illumination.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a cohesive and atmospheric composition.