plate no. 3514

Times Square II

oil, linen, silverContemporary Realismcityscapecityscapebuildingsstreetfiguresadvertisementsurban

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in creating atmospheric perspective and simplifying complex architectural forms. Students can develop skills in color mixing to achieve a muted, unified palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and perspective lines of the buildings and street.
step 02
Establish a base layer of muted gray-brown across the entire canvas.
step 03
Block in the larger shapes of the buildings with varying shades of gray, brown, and white, focusing on value relationships.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, signs, and architectural features, using smaller brushes.
step 05
Paint the street and sidewalks, paying attention to the perspective and the way light reflects off the surface.
step 06
Add the figures in the foreground, simplifying their forms and focusing on their silhouettes.
step 07
Introduce small pops of color in the figures' clothing and the traffic lights.
step 08
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Achieve the muted tones by mixing the primary colors with white and small amounts of blue or red to adjust the temperature. Use raw umber and white for the base layer and shadows.

techniques