plate no. 5778

The Flatiron Building, New York

Ernest Lawson, 1905

oil, canvas, cardboardImpressionismcityscapeflatiron buildingsnowtreescityscapestreetbuildings

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in applying impressionistic brushstrokes and understanding atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering complex architectural forms with simplified shapes and values.

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 Flatiron Building, surrounding buildings, and trees, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber and white, indicating light and shadow.
step 03
Begin blocking in the sky and snow-covered ground with broad, visible brushstrokes, using a limited palette of whites, grays, and browns.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, focusing on the patterns of windows and architectural features, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the bare trees, varying the thickness and direction of the branches to create a sense of depth and texture.
step 06
Introduce subtle color variations in the snow and sky to create atmospheric effects.
step 07
Refine the details of the street and figures, paying attention to the cast shadows and reflections.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall impression of light and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · raw sienna

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix various shades of gray by combining white with small amounts of burnt umber, ultramarine blue, and yellow ochre. Use raw sienna and burnt umber to create warm browns for the buildings and trees.

techniques