CITYSCAPES Learning Objective: To understand how to use palette knives and paint to create textured cityscapes. www.planbee.com
CITYSCAPES
Learning Objective:
To understand how to use palette knives and paint to create textured cityscapes.
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Leonid Afremov is an artist. He creates beautiful
cityscapes.
Afremov uses bright colours and textures to paint
cityscapes of European cities.
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Some people say his artwork looks
abstract!
What does this mean?
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Abstract art does not represent reality. The real image is portrayed through shapes,
colours and textures.
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Let’s have a look at Leonid
Afremov’s cityscapes.
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What can you see?What techniques have been used?
What tools were used ?Is this abstract art?
What shapes and lines can you see?
Do you like it?
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What can you see?What techniques have been used?
What tools were used ?
Is this abstract art?
What shapes and lines can you see?
It looks pretty!
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What can you see?What techniques have been used?
What tools were used ?Is this abstract art?
What shapes and lines can you see?
This is not as bright!
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What can you see?
What techniques have been used?
What tools were used ?
Is this abstract art?
What shapes and lines can you see?
It looks like a rainbow!
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Did you know Afremov uses a special
tool to create the textures in his work!It’s called a palette
knife.
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Palette knives are used with oil paints to create thick and rough-looking textures. They are long straight
blades or spatulas used to mix and spread paint onto
canvas.
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You can make your own palette knives. They are usually made from plastic, metal or wood.
You can use the palette knives to re-create the textures Leonid
Afremov created in his cityscapes.Let’s try it.
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This patchy sky is seen in many of Afremov’s paintings. Here is how you can re-create
this textured look.
Once you have made your palette knives, squirt acrylic or oil paint
onto a piece of cardboard or plate.
Dab your diamond-shaped palette knife into the paint and scrape the
paint onto your paper, using a flicking motion.
Keep adding different colours to the palette knife and continue to
add to the pattern.
Try not to mix the colours too much on the paper as it will turn
brown. Keep the flicks light.
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The sky in this section has bright bold colours.
To create this affect Afremov waits until his first layer is dry. Then he uses his palette knife to create
another layer. This makes the colours stand out more.
Once you have painted your first layer like this, give it time to dry.
Using the same technique paint another layer over the top, to create brighter colours.
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Afremov’s paintings sometimes show the cityscape reflection on water. Here is how you can re-create this streaky look.
Use the long palette knife to scrape blue paint downwards on
your paper. Use the thin diamond knife to scrape streaks horizontally
across the blue paint.
Paint a yellow strip of paint vertically down the blue paint and use the thin diamond to scrape the
colour across the page.
Paint a red strip of paint vertically down the page, in the same spot. Use the small diamond knife to scrape the
colour again.
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Use the long palette knife and hold it close to the tip. Use a push and scrape technique to create fat and wide streaks. This is used for the sky in one of Afremov’s paintings.
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Now it’s your turn.
Use these examples to help you re-create your
own Afremov- style painting.
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