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home·artworks·Night Scene in Avila
Night Scene in Avila by Diego Rivera

plate no. 3958

Night Scene in Avila

Diego Rivera, 1907

oil, canvasSocial Realismlandscapebuildingsnightskytreeslandscapearchitecture
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to depict light and shadow in a nighttime scene and how to simplify complex architectural forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and trees, focusing on their relative sizes and positions.

  2. step 02

    Block in the large areas of color, starting with the dark blue sky and the warm yellow of the illuminated buildings.

  3. step 03

    Gradually build up the layers of color, adding details and refining the shapes.

  4. step 04

    Pay attention to the direction of the light and how it affects the shadows.

  5. step 05

    Add the small details, such as the windows and the stars in the sky.

  6. step 06

    Refine the edges of the shapes to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

  7. step 07

    Add final highlights to enhance the contrast and create a sense of luminosity.

  8. step 08

    Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · titanium white · cadmium yellow

Mix ultramarine blue and burnt umber for the dark areas of the sky and shadows. Use yellow ochre and cadmium yellow for the illuminated buildings, adding white to lighten the tones.

techniques

  • ·blocking in
  • ·layering
  • ·blending
  • ·scumbling
  • ·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
  • →Not paying enough attention to the direction of the light.
  • →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
  • →Failing to simplify the complex architectural forms.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas 12x16
  • ·oil paints (ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium yellow)
  • ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
  • ·palette
  • ·palette knife
  • ·linseed oil
  • ·odorless mineral spirits
  • ·rags

optional

  • ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
  • ·easel
  • ·varnish

Use a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process. Consider using a toned canvas to create a more unified color scheme.

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oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
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