plate no. 7633
The Tollbooth, Glasgow
L. S. Lowry, 1947
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive atmosphere. It also encourages observation of human figures in motion and their relative scale within the environment.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the tower, surrounding buildings, and the general layout of the street.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and vanishing point(s) to guide perspective.
- step 03
Block in the large areas of color: the sky, the tower's dark mass, and the lighter tones of the buildings.
- step 04
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features, using simplified shapes.
- step 05
Paint in the figures, starting with the larger ones and gradually adding smaller ones in the distance.
- step 06
Use short, choppy brushstrokes to create texture and suggest movement.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Refine details and adjust values to achieve the desired mood.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ivory black · raw umber
secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light
Mix shades of gray by combining white and black, and add small amounts of umber or sienna for warmth. Use red sparingly for accents on figures.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·simplified shapes
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating details
- →Using too many colors
- →Ignoring perspective
- →Making figures too uniform
- →Not varying brushstrokes
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
A textured canvas can enhance the painting's overall effect. Consider using a limited palette to capture the artist's style.
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