plate no. 7813

View of Toledo

Diego Rivera, 1912

oil, canvasCubismcityscapecityscapebuildingsriverskyhillstrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify complex scenes into geometric shapes and use color to define form and light. It also provides practice in creating atmospheric perspective and capturing reflections in water.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the cityscape, hills, and river, focusing on overall composition.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the major divisions of the landscape.
step 03
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and water, then the hills and buildings.
step 04
Begin to define the geometric shapes within each area, using variations in color and value.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and roofs, using a smaller brush.
step 06
Create reflections in the water by mirroring the colors and shapes of the buildings and sky.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final touches, such as highlights and shadows, to enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · raw sienna

secondary · burnt sienna · titanium white · viridian green

Mix various shades of blue and green for the water, using white to lighten the tones and create reflections. Combine yellow ochre and raw sienna for the buildings and hills, adding burnt sienna for shadows and white for highlights.

techniques