plate no. 6277
View of Athens
Spyros Vassiliou, 1971
some experience helpful
This painting offers practice in creating atmospheric perspective and simplifying complex urban forms into basic shapes. Students can also learn to represent light and shadow to create depth and dimension in a cityscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the mountain, cityscape, and street.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light purple/gray wash, blending to create a subtle gradient.
- step 03
Establish the mountain's form with a dark brown/gray, adding highlights and shadows.
- step 04
Begin painting the cityscape, focusing on the overall shapes and colors of the buildings.
- step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, signs, and architectural features.
- step 06
Paint the street with a dark gray/black, adding the white crosswalk lines.
- step 07
Add the figures in the foreground, paying attention to their proportions and poses.
- step 08
Refine the details and add final touches, such as highlights and shadows.
color palette
primary · purple · gray · brown · white
secondary · yellow · orange · blue · green
Mix shades of purple and gray for the sky, using white to lighten and brown to darken. Create variations of brown for the mountain and buildings. Use small amounts of secondary colors to add interest and detail to the cityscape.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·layering
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·simplification
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Getting lost in the details of the cityscape too early.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Ignoring the overall composition and balance of the painting.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Round brushes (various sizes)
- ·Flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits (if using oils)
- ·Linseed oil (if using oils)
optional
- ·easel
- ·medium gloss
- ·retarder medium
Use a canvas size that allows for sufficient detail in the cityscape. Acrylics will dry faster, while oils offer more blending time.
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