plate no. 8407

Metropolis II

oilSurrealismcityscapecityscapebuildingsdoorssurrealarchitecturefantasy

experienced study

Recreating this painting will develop skills in perspective, detail work, and creating a cohesive color scheme across a complex composition. Students will also learn to represent various textures and materials.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a rough sketch outlining the main shapes and perspective lines of the buildings and the 'door mountain'.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and vanishing points to guide the perspective.
step 03
Block in the basic colors for the sky, buildings, and ground, focusing on the overall tonal values.
step 04
Begin adding details to the buildings, including windows, doors, and textures, working from the foreground to the background.
step 05
Paint the 'door mountain' at the top, paying close attention to the overlapping shapes and the variety of door styles and colors.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension, focusing on the light source.
step 07
Refine the details and textures, such as the cracks in the pavement and the weathering on the buildings.
step 08
Add the final touches, such as the small objects and the rose in the corner.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · cerulean blue · cadmium red · sap green

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining the primary colors. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Add small amounts of secondary colors to create subtle variations.

techniques

·linear perspective
·atmospheric perspective
·layering
·glazing
·detail painting

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the details and losing sight of the overall composition.
→Failing to establish a consistent light source, resulting in a flat and unrealistic image.
→Inaccurate perspective, which can make the buildings appear distorted.
→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the initial layers.