plate no. 1119

San Miguel Allende

Hale Woodruff, 1936

oilCubismcityscapebuildingscityscapemountainsskyvegetationchurch

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify complex scenes into geometric forms and use color to define planes and create depth. Students will also learn to create texture using visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the geometric forms of the buildings and mountains.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the general placement of the key elements.
step 03
Block in the main colors for each building, mountain range, and sky, using simplified color blocks.
step 04
Begin to refine the shapes and add details, such as windows, doors, and rooflines.
step 05
Introduce variations in color and value to create depth and dimension within each shape.
step 06
Add texture using visible brushstrokes, following the contours of the forms.
step 07
Refine the details of the foreground vegetation, paying attention to the shapes and shadows.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall sense of depth and form.

color palette

primary · ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · viridian green

Mix various shades of browns and grays by combining the primary colors. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Mix greens by combining blue and yellow.

techniques