plate no. 4811

Motor Dump - Pisa II

Jeffrey Smart, 1971

oilContemporary Realismcityscapecarstowerskyarchitecturecityscapevehicles

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective, color mixing to achieve muted tones, and creating a sense of depth through layering and atmospheric perspective. It also encourages careful observation of shapes and forms in complex compositions.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the horizon line and the basic shapes of the tower and the mass of cars, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in the sky with a muted grey-brown tone.
step 03
Begin layering in the colors of the cars, starting with the darker values and gradually adding highlights.
step 04
Focus on accurately depicting the perspective of the cars, especially the receding rows.
step 05
Carefully paint the details of the Leaning Tower, paying attention to the architectural elements and the subtle variations in light and shadow.
step 06
Refine the colors and values of the cars, adding details such as windows, bumpers, and reflections.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to the tower and the cars to create a sense of realism.
step 08
Evaluate the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments to balance the elements.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium yellow · burnt sienna · sap green

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white or raw umber to dull the intensity. Use thin glazes to build up color and create depth.

techniques

·layering
·glazing
·atmospheric perspective
·color mixing
·linear perspective

common pitfalls

→Failing to establish accurate perspective, especially in the receding rows of cars.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated, which will detract from the overall muted tone of the painting.
→Overworking the details, which can make the painting look stiff and unnatural.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in light and shadow, which are essential for creating a sense of realism.