plate no. 1386

Small square station

Paul Delvaux, 1963

oil, canvasSurrealismcityscapecityscapebuildingsfiguresnighttrain stationtrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective, atmospheric perspective, and creating a sense of depth through value and color variations. It also provides practice in painting figures in a stylized manner.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to perspective lines of the buildings and square.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the buildings, sky, and ground using thin washes.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin adding shadows and highlights to create depth.
step 04
Paint the details of the train station, including the windows, roof, and architectural elements.
step 05
Add the figures, paying attention to their proportions and poses.
step 06
Paint the trees and other vegetation, adding details to create texture.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values and colors as needed.
step 08
Add the final touches, such as the moon and the lights in the windows.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium red

Mix ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create the dark blues and grays of the night sky and buildings. Use yellow ochre and titanium white to create the warm glow of the lights.

techniques