plate no. 8118

Palo Alto Circle

Richard Diebenkorn, 1943

oil, canvasNew Realismcityscapebuildingstreetskyrailroadsigncafe

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in light and shadow, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to create depth in a cityscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the building, street lamp, and railroad tracks.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, building, and ground, using thin washes.
step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns on the building, paying attention to the warm highlights and cool shadows.
step 04
Add details to the building, such as windows, signs, and architectural features.
step 05
Paint the railroad tracks and surrounding ground, creating texture and depth with varied brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the sky, blending colors to create a smooth gradient.
step 07
Add the street lamp and other small details, such as the fence and power lines.
step 08
Review and adjust the painting, ensuring that the colors and values are balanced and harmonious.

color palette

primary · sky blue · grey · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · green · red · white

Mix the building color by combining grey, yellow ochre, and a touch of raw umber. Create the sky by blending sky blue with white, adding a touch of yellow ochre near the horizon.

techniques

·blocking in
·dry brushing
·color mixing
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and unnatural look.
→Failing to establish a clear light source, leading to inconsistent shadows.
→Using colors straight from the tube, without mixing them to create subtle variations.
→Ignoring the atmospheric perspective, making the background appear too sharp and detailed.