plate no. 0696

Rooftops in the shadows

oilNeoclassicismcityscapebuildingsrooftopsskycloudsarchitecturelandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and understanding atmospheric perspective through subtle value changes. It's also good practice for capturing light and shadow on architectural forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and the horizon line, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light blue, adding subtle variations for the clouds.
step 03
Establish the main dark values on the buildings and the ground using a mix of browns and grays.
step 04
Begin to refine the shapes of the buildings, paying attention to the direction of light and shadow.
step 05
Add highlights to the buildings and ground to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Paint the details of the rooftops and any visible architectural features.
step 07
Add the poles and lines, keeping them thin and delicate.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and atmospheric effect.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cerulean blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix raw umber and white for the building's light gray tones. Add a touch of blue to the gray for cooler shadows. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the ground, varying the proportions for different shades.

techniques

·blocking in
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·value studies

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the scene.
→Not paying attention to the subtle value changes in the sky and buildings.
→Making the lines of the buildings too sharp and defined.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (raw umber, titanium white, cerulean blue, yellow ochre, burnt sienna)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·palette knife