plate no. 4315
Piccadilly Gardens
L. S. Lowry, 1954
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive atmosphere. Students will also learn how to create a sense of depth using atmospheric perspective and varying the size of figures.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, fountain, and park layout using light pencil lines.
- step 02
Block in the sky and ground with thin washes of diluted paint.
- step 03
Establish the horizon line and the general placement of the buildings.
- step 04
Add the larger buildings, focusing on their basic shapes and proportions.
- step 05
Paint the fountain and surrounding area, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 06
Add the figures in the park, using simple shapes and lines to represent them.
- step 07
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features.
- step 08
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, adding highlights and shadows as needed.
color palette
primary · titanium white · payne's gray · raw umber
secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre
Mix payne's gray and white for the sky and ground. Use raw umber for the buildings and park details. Add small touches of red and yellow for accents.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·simplified shapes
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the details of the buildings.
- →Making the figures too realistic.
- →Using too many colors.
- →Not establishing a clear focal point.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·reference photo print
A slightly textured canvas can help to create a more interesting surface for the painting. Use a limited palette to capture the muted colors of the original painting.
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