plate no. 8365

Reclaimed Land, Riverside Drive

Leon Kroll, 1913

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingstrainwaterskyfigureswater tower

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing reflections in water. It also provides practice in simplifying complex architectural forms and rendering steam or smoke.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the building, water tower, and train.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the perspective of the water's edge.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the building, water tower, and train with thin washes of color.
step 04
Paint the sky with soft, blended tones, creating a sense of atmosphere.
step 05
Add the reflections in the water, using broken brushstrokes and slightly desaturated colors.
step 06
Develop the details of the building and water tower, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 07
Add the figures and other small details to create a sense of scale and activity.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and colors as needed.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · payne's gray

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining raw umber, ultramarine blue, and titanium white. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to create warm highlights on the buildings and water tower.

techniques