plate no. 3812

The entrance to the city

Paul Delvaux, 1940

oil, canvasSurrealismgenre paintingfiguresarchitecturetreesskycolumnslandscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, atmospheric perspective, and creating depth through careful value and color variations. It also provides practice in rendering complex textures like stone and foliage.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and architectural elements.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin refining the figures, paying close attention to anatomy and light/shadow.
step 04
Develop the background elements, focusing on atmospheric perspective to create depth.
step 05
Add details to the architectural elements, such as the columns and arches.
step 06
Refine the textures of the trees, foliage, and stone surfaces.
step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and value contrasts to create a cohesive image.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red or burnt umber. Create atmospheric perspective by adding blue and white to background colors.

techniques