plate no. 2918

The Strand by Night

C. R. W. Nevinson, 1937

oilExpressionismcityscapecityscapestreetbuildingspeoplebusesrain

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective, capturing the effect of light and reflections on a wet surface, and simplifying complex scenes into essential shapes and values.

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 buildings, street, and buses, focusing on perspective.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of dark red/purple for the sky and darker tones for the buildings on either side.
step 03
Block in the general shapes of the buildings in the background with lighter tones, suggesting light sources.
step 04
Add the red buses using a slightly brighter red, and indicate the figures with dark, simplified shapes and umbrellas.
step 05
Focus on the reflections on the wet street, using horizontal strokes and lighter values to create the illusion of shimmering light.
step 06
Refine the details of the buildings and buses, adding windows and architectural elements with subtle variations in tone.
step 07
Add highlights to the wet surfaces and the edges of the buildings to enhance the sense of light and atmosphere.
step 08
Review and adjust the values and colors to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Achieve the atmospheric tones by mixing burnt umber with white and small amounts of red and blue. Use yellow ochre to create the warm glow of the streetlights.

techniques