Torun

Sketch the cityscape layout using charcoal or thinned oil paint. Define the placement of buildings, streets, and sky.

Tip — Keep lines loose; oil paint remains wet long enough to adjust forms later (Source 1).

Initial Sketching

Apply a monochrome grisaille layer to establish values. Mentally extract red and yellow tones to focus on form and light.

Tip — Ensure this layer is completely dry before proceeding to color glazes (Source 2).

Grisaille

Begin applying color using the 'fat over lean' rule. Initial layers should be leaner (more solvent) to ensure proper drying.

Tip — Each subsequent layer must contain more oil than the previous one to prevent cracking (Source 1).

Fat over Lean

Glaze transparent coats of red and yellow tones over the dry grisaille. Scumble semi-opaque paint to create texture and coldness where needed.

Tip — Scumbling over a darker ground tends to create a grey bloom, useful for atmospheric effects in the cityscape (Source 2).

Glazing and Scumbling

Adjust color values by mixing with complements rather than black or white to avoid unwanted hue shifts.

Tip — Adding black to yellows/oranges can shift them toward green/blue; use complements to neutralize (Source 7).

Color Mixing

Use palette knives or rags to scrape off or adjust wet paint if necessary. Oil paint allows for significant reworking while wet.

Tip — Hardened layers must be scraped off; wet layers can be removed with a rag and turpentine (Source 1).

Paint Removal/Adjustment