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home·artworks·View on the Neva River and the Stock Exchange Building from the Trinity Bridge
View on the Neva River and the Stock Exchange Building from the Trinity Bridge by Anna Ostroumova-Lebedeva

plate no. 8624

View on the Neva River and the Stock Exchange Building from the Trinity Bridge

Anna Ostroumova-Lebedeva, 1926

woodcutArt Nouveau (Modern)cityscaperiverbuildingsskycloudscityscapereflection
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to simplify complex architectural details into basic shapes. It also provides practice in creating reflections in water.

technical profile

palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the horizon line and the basic shapes of the buildings and clouds.

  2. step 02

    Establish the overall value structure by laying in the lightest and darkest areas.

  3. step 03

    Refine the shapes of the clouds, paying attention to their forms and edges.

  4. step 04

    Add details to the buildings, simplifying architectural elements.

  5. step 05

    Create the reflections in the water, mirroring the shapes above but with less detail.

  6. step 06

    Use short, horizontal strokes to suggest the movement of the water.

  7. step 07

    Add final details and adjust values as needed.

  8. step 08

    Consider adding a light glaze to unify the painting.

color palette

primary · gray · white

secondary · light gray

Mix different values of gray by combining white with a touch of black or burnt umber.

techniques

  • ·dry brushing
  • ·scumbling
  • ·atmospheric perspective
  • ·simplification

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the details in the buildings.
  • →Making the reflections too literal and detailed.
  • →Creating too much contrast, losing the atmospheric effect.
  • →Not simplifying the cloud shapes enough.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·Canvas or wood panel
  • ·Gray acrylic or oil paint
  • ·White acrylic or oil paint
  • ·Round brush size 4
  • ·Flat brush size 6
  • ·Palette
  • ·Palette knife
  • ·Odorless mineral spirits (if using oils)

optional

  • ·Burnt umber
  • ·Retarder medium

A toned canvas (light gray) can be helpful.

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