plate no. 4584

Office in a Small City

Edward Hopper, 1953

oil, canvasNew Realismcityscapecityscapebuildingfigureskywindowarchitecture

some experience helpful

This painting is great for learning about blocking in shapes and creating a sense of depth using atmospheric perspective. Students can also practice rendering light and shadow on simple forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the window frame and the placement of the figure and buildings.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, buildings, and the interior space.
step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns on the window frame and the buildings.
step 04
Refine the details of the figure, paying attention to the light on his face and hands.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features.
step 06
Adjust the colors and values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add final highlights and details.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · raw sienna · ivory black

Mix various shades of gray and off-white by combining white with small amounts of black, umber, and ochre. Achieve the sky color by mixing ultramarine blue with white and a touch of yellow ochre. Create the building colors by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and black.

techniques