plate no. 9625

The Making of a Fresco, Showing The Building of a City

Diego Rivera, 1931

frescoMuralismgenre paintingfiguresarchitectureindustrycityscapescaffoldingmural

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, perspective, and creating a complex narrative composition. It also provides practice in rendering different textures and materials.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a rough sketch of the overall composition, paying attention to the placement of the scaffolding and figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background elements, such as the cityscape and sky.
step 03
Begin painting the large figure in the center, focusing on accurate proportions and shading.
step 04
Paint the figures on the scaffolding, paying attention to their poses and interactions.
step 05
Add details to the machinery and tools, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final details, such as the faces of the figures and the patterns on their clothing.
step 08
Review the entire painting and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · ochre · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light · ivory black

Mix ochre with white for lighter skin tones, and add small amounts of red or blue for variation. Use ultramarine blue and raw umber to create a range of grays for the architecture.

techniques