plate no. 8686

New Moon, New York

George Ault, 1945

oilPrecisionismcityscapecityscapebuildingsmoonnightstreetgeometric

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand perspective and how to simplify complex shapes into geometric forms. It also provides practice in subtle color mixing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic geometric shapes of the buildings and street, focusing on perspective.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the sky, buildings, and street.
step 03
Refine the shapes and edges of the buildings, paying attention to the angles and proportions.
step 04
Mix the subtle color variations for the buildings and street, creating depth and shadow.
step 05
Add the details: the moon, the lights, and the neon sign.
step 06
Blend the colors smoothly to create a seamless surface.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium yellow · viridian green

Mix the sky colors by blending ultramarine blue and white, adding a touch of burnt umber for depth. Create the building colors by mixing burnt umber, white, and small amounts of red or yellow for subtle variations.

techniques