plate no. 9191

Monument in the Plaza, New York

John French Sloan, 1949

oil, panel, temperaNew Realismgenre paintingplazamonumenttreesfigurescityscapepark

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding how to depict figures in a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the monument, trees, and figures.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, such as the sky, trees, and ground, using thin washes.
step 03
Begin building up the texture of the trees and ground with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 04
Add details to the monument, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Paint the figures, starting with the larger shapes and gradually adding details.
step 06
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add final details, such as the highlights on the trees and figures.
step 08
Glaze to unify the colors and add depth.

color palette

primary · sap green · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · titanium white · raw umber

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue, and vary the tones by adding white or burnt sienna. Use burnt sienna and yellow ochre for the monument, adjusting the values with white and raw umber.

techniques