plate no. 5308

Underground Fantasy

Mark Rothko, 1940

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfigurescityscapeurbanarchitecturepeoplesubway

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex figures and creating a cohesive color scheme with limited hues. It also encourages expressive brushwork and capturing a mood rather than precise detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures and architectural elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall tonal values.
step 03
Begin refining the shapes of the figures, paying attention to their poses and gestures.
step 04
Add details to the clothing and faces, using small brushstrokes and subtle color variations.
step 05
Define the architectural elements, such as the pillars and signage.
step 06
Create depth by layering colors and adjusting the values of the background.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension.
step 08
Refine the edges and details, ensuring a cohesive and expressive final result.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Achieve the muted tones by mixing raw umber and white, with small additions of red or blue to adjust the warmth and coolness. Use black sparingly to create shadows and depth.

techniques