plate no. 1856
Leningrad
Vladimir Tatlin, 1936
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values. It also provides practice in capturing reflections and using visible brushstrokes to create texture.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and perspective lines of the buildings and street.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and then the buildings.
- step 03
Establish the darkest darks and lightest lights to create a value structure.
- step 04
Begin adding details to the buildings, focusing on the windows and architectural features.
- step 05
Paint the reflections in the street, using broken brushstrokes to suggest movement.
- step 06
Add texture to the foreground using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
- step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed.
- step 08
Add final highlights to the buildings and reflections.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber
secondary · cadmium red light · viridian · yellow ochre
Mix various shades of gray by combining black and white, and add small amounts of other colors to create subtle variations. Use yellow ochre and white for the lighter building facades, and red and umber for the darker ones. Mix viridian with black and white for the green details.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details
- →Ignoring the value structure
- →Using too much detail in the background
- →Not capturing the atmospheric perspective
- →Making the reflections too literal
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·viridian oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (flat and round)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a limited palette to create a cohesive and harmonious painting. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a mid-tone value.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
