Art in FocusChapter 16:
The Italian RenaissanceAdditional Studio ProjectsPAINTING A CITYSCAPEPaint a cityscape in which buildings and other objects are shown as flat, overlapping shapes. Paint these shapes with a variety of values obtained by mixing white and black with a single hue. To create an illusion of deep space, apply the darkest values to shapes in the foreground and the lightest to those in the background.
INSPIRATIONExamine paintings by Masaccio (Figures 18.3 and 18.5), Botticelli (Figure 18.16), and Raphael (Figure 18.2, and 18.23). What methods did these artists use to create an illusion of deep space in their pictures? What is the name given to this method of showing space? How do changes of value contribute to this effort to suggest space on a two-dimensional surface?
WHAT YOU WILL NEED- Pencil and sketch paper
- White drawing paper, 9 × 12 inches
- Tempera or acrylic paint (one hue plus white and black)
- Brushes, mixing tray, and paint cloth
- Water container
WHAT YOU WILL DO- Complete several sketches of city buildings. Then simplify these sketches by transforming the buildings into flat, overlapping shapes. However, make certain that each of the buildings maintains some of its own unique features.
- Reproduce the best of your sketches on the sheet of drawing paper. Make all the lines of this drawing as precise as possible.
- Choose a single hue to paint your cityscape. Mix white and black to this hue to create a range of values. Apply the darkest value to the building or object in the immediate foreground. As you paint each object farther back in the picture, use a lighter value. The lightest value should be reserved for the building or object farthest back in the composition.
EVALUATING YOUR WORKDescribe Is your painting easily recognized as a cityscape? Is each building in your painting unique in terms of shape and detail, or do they all look alike? Did you use different values of a single hue to paint your picture?
Analyze Are the building shapes in your picture flat? Do they overlap each other? Did you use a variety of different values in your painting? Do these values become gradually lighter as they applied to buildings and objects located farther and farther back into space? Does this method of using value gradation help create the illusion of space in your picture?
Interpret Does your painting communicate a feeling of deep space filled with city buildings?
Judge What is the best feature of your painting? What is its least effective feature? If you relied only on the visual qualities, do you think you could consider your picture a success? Why or why not?
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