plate no. 1867
Roundhouse at High Bridge
George Luks, 1910
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and learn how to depict the effects of light and shadow on industrial subjects. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth using tonal variations and loose brushwork.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the roundhouse, river, and horizon line.
- step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of warm and cool tones.
- step 03
Block in the dark values of the roundhouse and surrounding buildings.
- step 04
Begin layering the smoke and steam, using light, broken brushstrokes.
- step 05
Develop the details of the river and sky, paying attention to the subtle color variations.
- step 06
Add highlights to the smoke and buildings to create a sense of depth and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights to capture the luminosity of the smoke.
color palette
primary · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna
Achieve the smoky atmosphere by mixing raw umber and yellow ochre with varying amounts of white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create the darker tones of the buildings and river.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·tonal painting
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, painterly quality.
- →Failing to create a convincing sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Using colors that are too saturated and bright.
- →Neglecting the importance of value contrast.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-grit canvas to allow for better paint adhesion and texture.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
