plate no. 3010

Untitled (Excavation)

Alexander Calder, 1924

oilAmerican Realismcityscapeconstructionexcavationcranecityscapebuildingsurban

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting perspective in complex scenes and using a limited palette to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes and perspective lines of the excavation and buildings.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Establish the darkest shadows within the excavation pit to create depth.
step 04
Add the details of the crane and the wooden structures, paying attention to their angles and proportions.
step 05
Refine the shapes of the buildings in the background, simplifying their details.
step 06
Introduce subtle color variations within the larger color blocks to create interest.
step 07
Add highlights to suggest light and form, particularly on the crane and the edges of the excavation.
step 08
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments to values, colors, and details.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · payne's gray · yellow ochre

Mix raw umber and white for the concrete and earth tones. Use burnt sienna for the crane and wooden structures. Payne's gray can be used to darken shadows and create a sense of atmosphere.

techniques