plate no. 8244

Passage de l'Opéra

Conroy Maddox, 1971

oilSurrealismcityscapearchitecturefigureshallwaystatuecityscapesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand linear perspective and how to create depth using color and value. It also provides practice in rendering simple figures and architectural forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and perspective lines of the hallway, building, and statue.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and vanishing points to guide the perspective.
step 03
Block in the large areas of color: sky, walls, floor, and the statue's base color.
step 04
Gradually build up the colors in the sky and walls, creating subtle gradients.
step 05
Add details to the statue, focusing on the highlights and shadows to define its form.
step 06
Paint the figures in the background, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 07
Refine the details of the architecture, such as the windows and arches.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · sky blue · grey · white

secondary · dark blue · green · brown

Mix various shades of grey by combining white with small amounts of blue, brown, and black. Create subtle color variations in the sky by blending different shades of blue and white.

techniques