plate no. 7803

The Old City

Robert Spencer, 1931

oilImpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingsbridgewatercloudsfigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering complex architectural forms with light and shadow. It also provides practice in depicting figures within a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings, bridge, and water.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and vanishing points to maintain perspective.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the buildings and bridge with thin washes of color.
step 04
Begin layering colors to create depth and dimension in the buildings and clouds.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, doors, and rooflines.
step 06
Paint the water, using horizontal strokes to create a sense of movement.
step 07
Add the figures in the foreground, paying attention to their proportions and placement.
step 08
Refine the details and add highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · raw sienna · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining the primary colors. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Mix ultramarine blue and burnt umber for darker shadows.

techniques

·layering
·blending
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling
·dry brushing

common pitfalls

→Getting the perspective wrong, causing the buildings to look distorted.
→Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and unnatural appearance.
→Using too much paint, causing the colors to become muddy.
→Ignoring the importance of light and shadow, resulting in a flat and lifeless painting.