plate no. 8367

Lancaster

Charles Demuth, 1920

oilPrecisionismcityscapebuildingscityscapearchitecturetowergeometric shapeswater tower

some experience helpful

This painting is a good exercise in simplifying complex forms into geometric shapes and understanding linear perspective. Students will learn to create depth through subtle value changes and overlapping shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and lines of the buildings, focusing on their geometric forms and angles.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and vanishing points to guide the perspective.
step 03
Block in the main color areas for each building, starting with the lightest tones.
step 04
Gradually add darker values to create depth and dimension, paying attention to the light source.
step 05
Mix subtle variations of the primary colors to create visual interest and avoid flat, uniform tones.
step 06
Refine the edges of the shapes, using a fine brush to create crisp lines where needed.
step 07
Add details such as windows and architectural elements, keeping them simple and geometric.
step 08
Glaze thin layers of color to unify the composition and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw umber

Mix burnt sienna and white for the red buildings, varying the ratio for lighter and darker tones. Add a touch of ultramarine blue to black for cooler shadows. Use raw umber to tone down the white for the background.

techniques