plate no. 8668

Turmoil on the Tube

David Young, 2017

drawingRealismillustrationfiguressubwayplatformtraincrowdclothing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in perspective, mixing realistic skin tones, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective and value control.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a rough sketch to establish the composition and perspective lines of the platform and train.
step 02
Block in the main shapes of the figures, focusing on their proportions and poses.
step 03
Establish the background colors and values, paying attention to the atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Begin layering in the mid-tones and highlights on the figures, gradually building up the form.
step 05
Refine the details of the clothing, faces, and other elements, using smaller brushes.
step 06
Add the highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 07
Pay attention to the reflections on the platform floor.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a cohesive and realistic image.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · magenta

Mix skin tones by combining red, yellow, blue, and white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create various shades of gray for the platform. Add white to colors to create highlights and reduce saturation.

techniques