plate no. 4006

Outskirts

oilSymbolismcityscapecityscapebuildingsskymoonlandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and creating depth through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of blue and brown tones.
step 03
Begin layering in the darker values in the foreground and the rooftops.
step 04
Gradually build up the lighter values on the building facades, using subtle variations in tone.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and chimneys, keeping them simple and understated.
step 06
Paint the sky with horizontal brushstrokes, blending the blues and grays to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Add the moon with a small amount of orange and yellow.
step 08
Refine the foreground with directional brushstrokes to suggest the texture of the ground.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Burnt umber · Titanium white

secondary · Yellow ochre · Cadmium orange

Mix blues and browns to create the various shades of the sky and buildings. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Add a touch of yellow ochre to warm up the browns.

techniques