plate no. 5653

St. Bavo's, Ghent (July 1934)

M.C. Escher, 1934

woodcutRealismcityscapearchitecturecityscapebuildingchurchskystreet

experienced study

Recreating this woodcut will help students develop skills in precise linework, understanding value relationships, and creating depth through hatching and cross-hatching techniques. It will also help in understanding the importance of negative space.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the main architectural elements.
step 02
Define the darkest areas of the image, such as the shadows on the buildings and the darkest parts of the sky.
step 03
Begin adding linework to create texture and value, starting with the darkest areas and gradually moving to lighter areas.
step 04
Use hatching and cross-hatching techniques to build up the values and create a sense of depth and form.
step 05
Pay close attention to the direction and spacing of the lines to create different textures and effects.
step 06
Refine the details of the architecture, such as the windows, arches, and other decorative elements.
step 07
Add details to the sky and surrounding buildings to create a sense of atmosphere and context.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and details to create a cohesive and balanced image.