plate no. 9112
Refinery
suitable for beginners
Recreating this painting will help students understand color blocking, geometric abstraction, and simplified representation of complex scenes. It's a good exercise in precise line work and flat color application.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition onto the canvas.
- step 02
Divide the canvas into the main geometric areas.
- step 03
Start by painting the largest areas of a single color, like the sky.
- step 04
Mix the specific colors needed for each shape, ensuring they are flat and opaque.
- step 05
Carefully fill in each shape with its corresponding color, paying attention to clean edges.
- step 06
Add details like the smoke, figures, and grid patterns.
- step 07
Refine the edges and shapes as needed to match the original painting.
- step 08
Allow to dry completely.
color palette
primary · sky blue · brown · white · black
secondary · yellow · green · gray · orange
Mix browns from burnt umber and a touch of blue or orange. Greens can be created from blue and yellow. Vary the yellow with touches of orange or white.
techniques
- ·flat color application
- ·hard-edge painting
- ·geometric abstraction
- ·color blocking
- ·precise linework
common pitfalls
- →Uneven color application
- →fuzzy edges between shapes
- →inaccurate proportions of geometric forms
- →muddy color mixing
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·ruler
optional
- ·masking tape
- ·medium (for oil paints)
- ·varnish
Use good quality paints for better opacity and color saturation. Consider using masking tape to achieve very sharp edges.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
