plate no. 3328

Woolworth Building

oil, linenContemporary Realismcityscapebuildingscityscapearchitectureskyscrapersurban

some experience helpful

This painting offers a great opportunity to practice tonal painting and creating depth using value. Students can also develop skills in architectural rendering and capturing details with limited color.

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 and proportions of the buildings onto the canvas.
step 02
Establish the overall value range by applying a thin wash of neutral gray or raw umber.
step 03
Begin blocking in the darkest areas of the buildings, focusing on shadows and recessed details.
step 04
Gradually build up the lighter areas, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and temperature.
step 05
Refine the details of the architecture, using smaller brushes to create sharp lines and intricate patterns.
step 06
Soften edges and blend tones to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.
step 07
Add final highlights to emphasize the form and texture of the buildings.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition and value balance.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

Achieve various shades of gray by mixing raw umber and ivory black with titanium white. Use burnt sienna and yellow ochre sparingly to add warmth to certain areas.

techniques