plate no. 6839

Nocturnal – New York

Carlos Botelho, 1940

oilExpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingsskyscraperssmokenighturban

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, and in using expressive brushstrokes to convey texture and form. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, focusing on their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Block in the sky and the overall background color with a diluted blue.
step 03
Begin layering darker blues and purples onto the buildings to establish shadows and depth.
step 04
Add lighter blues and whites to suggest highlights and the glow of city lights.
step 05
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create the texture of the buildings and the movement of the smoke.
step 06
Introduce small amounts of yellow and green for the streetlights and cars.
step 07
Refine the details of the buildings, such as windows and architectural features, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 08
Add final touches of white to emphasize highlights and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · cerulean blue · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · purple

Mix ultramarine blue and white for the sky. Add a touch of yellow ochre to the blue for the streetlights. Use burnt umber to darken the blues for shadows.

techniques