plate no. 0866

Vista de la ciudad de Tlaxcala

oilRealismlandscapemountainslandscapecityscapehillsskyfigures

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in creating atmospheric perspective and rendering complex landscapes with varied textures. Students can learn to simplify details while maintaining a sense of depth and realism.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of the mountains and city.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light wash of blue and yellow, blending for a soft gradient.
step 03
Block in the distant mountains with a light purple-gray, paying attention to the subtle variations in tone.
step 04
Paint the mid-ground plains with ochre and brown, creating a sense of depth through value changes.
step 05
Develop the foreground hills with darker browns and greens, adding texture with broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Add details to the cityscape, simplifying the buildings and using lighter tones to suggest distance.
step 07
Introduce small figures and details in the foreground to add interest and scale.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and adding highlights to create a sense of light and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · raw sienna · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of brown and green by combining yellow ochre, burnt umber, and ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten colors and create atmospheric perspective.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·broken color
·dry brushing
·glazing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the distant areas, losing the sense of atmospheric perspective.
→Creating too much contrast in the foreground, flattening the sense of depth.
→Using colors that are too saturated, making the painting look unnatural.
→Neglecting the subtle value changes that create form and depth.