plate no. 7589

Tomorrow Is Never

Kay Sage, 1955

oilSurrealismlandscapestructuresscaffoldinglandscapefogskyreflections

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to create depth using subtle value and color changes. It also provides practice in rendering complex geometric forms within a muted color scheme.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and placement of the structures, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the overall tonal range of the sky and ground.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the sky and ground, blending them softly to create a hazy atmosphere.
step 04
Begin adding details to the structures, focusing on the linear elements and their perspective.
step 05
Use lighter values to indicate the structures further in the distance, reinforcing the atmospheric perspective.
step 06
Add subtle reflections of the structures in the foreground.
step 07
Refine the details and values, paying attention to the subtle gradations of light and shadow.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Achieve the muted tones by mixing raw umber and white, adding small amounts of black or yellow ochre to adjust the color temperature. Use thin glazes to build up the atmospheric effects.

techniques