plate no. 9079

Pyramid in Shanghai

oil, woodRealismcityscapepyramidwaterbuildingsskyreflectionarchitecture

some experience helpful

This painting offers a good opportunity to practice linear perspective and capturing reflections in water. Students can also develop their skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in the sky and water.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and perspective lines of the pyramid, buildings, and water.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, water, and land.
step 03
Add the base color for the pyramid and the floating platform.
step 04
Begin layering colors in the sky to create depth and subtle variations.
step 05
Develop the water by adding darker tones in the foreground and lighter tones towards the horizon, suggesting depth and reflection.
step 06
Refine the details of the pyramid, including the glass panels and the entrance.
step 07
Add details to the buildings and landscape, paying attention to perspective.
step 08
Add final touches to the reflections in the water, ensuring they align with the objects above.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · yellow ochre · raw umber · sap green

Mix cerulean blue and white for the sky, adding a touch of yellow ochre for the horizon. Use burnt sienna and raw umber for the platform, and cerulean blue with varying amounts of white and raw umber for the water.

techniques