plate no. 9292

Upper Manhattan

Thomas Hart Benton, 1917

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingstreeslandscapehousesskycityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using color to create depth and form. It is also a good exercise in understanding how to create a sense of atmosphere through color and brushwork.

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 of the buildings, trees, and hills, focusing on their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and the background hills.
step 03
Add the colors for the buildings, using slightly different shades to suggest form and light.
step 04
Paint the trees, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and variation.
step 05
Refine the shapes and colors of the buildings and trees, adding details such as windows and branches.
step 06
Add shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values as needed to create a harmonious composition.
step 08
Add final details and highlights.

color palette

primary · red · yellow · green · white

secondary · purple · orange · brown

Mix various shades of green by combining yellow and blue with small amounts of red or brown. Create muted tones by adding complementary colors together.

techniques