plate no. 5075

The Gate within The City walls

Grant Wood, 1920

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapearchbuildingscityscapestonestreet

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values. It also provides practice in creating a sense of perspective through atmospheric perspective and diminishing size.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the archway, buildings, and street, focusing on proportions and perspective.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color with thin washes, establishing the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin layering darker tones to define shadows and create depth within the archway and buildings.
step 04
Add lighter tones to indicate highlights and create a sense of light and atmosphere.
step 05
Refine the details of the stonework and buildings, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Pay attention to the edges of shapes, softening some and sharpening others to create visual interest.
step 07
Add final touches of color and detail to enhance the overall impression of the scene.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments to value, color, or composition.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and beige by combining raw umber, burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and white. Use black sparingly to darken shadows. Achieve lighter tones by adding white to the base colors.

techniques