plate no. 3170

On A Shaker Theme #2

oilPrecisionismcityscapebuildingsarchitecturecityscapegeometricwindowsroofs

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand geometric abstraction and color value relationships to create depth. It will also help with understanding perspective and how to simplify complex shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic geometric shapes and lines of the buildings, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the darkest values.
step 03
Gradually build up the lighter values, blending carefully to create smooth transitions.
step 04
Add details such as windows and roof lines, using a smaller brush.
step 05
Refine the edges of the shapes to create a crisp, clean look.
step 06
Add the power lines.
step 07
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting.
step 08
Make any necessary adjustments to the colors, values, or details.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · gray · lavender

Mix various shades of blue and gray by combining ultramarine blue, titanium white, and a touch of burnt umber. Use more white for lighter values and more blue/umber for darker values. Add a touch of red to the blue/gray mix to create lavender.

techniques