plate no. 7981

The Eastern Railway Station at Night

Tivadar Kosztka Csontvary, 1902

oilExpressionismcityscapebuildingsnightstreetcarriagetreescityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and creating a sense of depth using value and color. It also provides practice in rendering architectural forms and the effects of artificial light at night.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, street, and trees, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Establish the overall dark background using a mix of dark greens, browns, and blues.
step 03
Begin blocking in the lighter areas of the buildings and street, using a muted palette of greens, yellows, and whites.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, arches, and architectural features.
step 05
Paint the trees and foliage, using darker colors to create depth and contrast.
step 06
Add the light sources (street lamps and windows) and their reflections on the street.
step 07
Refine the details of the carriage and figures.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · dark green · yellow ochre · ivory black

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium red · titanium white

Mix dark greens by combining black, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue. Achieve the muted tones of the buildings by mixing yellow ochre with small amounts of black and white. Create the warm glow of the lights by mixing cadmium red with yellow ochre and white.

techniques