15 Best Ideas For Painting Cityscapes In Almost Any Medium
Have you ever wanted to paint a cityscape? Cityscapes are great because they often show the different architecture in an area or even buildings standing for hundreds of years. They also provide a lot of opportunities for color and texture.
This article will go over 15 ideas for painting cityscapes that you can do in almost any medium.
Acrylics
1. Abstract Cityscape Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
Abstract Cityscape Painting, Acrylic on Canvas - Image by Alan Art
Painting abstracts on canvas is an excellent choice for artists. In this painting, the artist worked with a palette knife for the building's upper half and a bright brush for the reflection of the city on the water.
2. The City Against the Sunset Sky, Acrylic on Canvas
The City Against the Sunset Sky, Acrylic on Canvas - Image by Joni Young Art
In this acrylic painting on canvas, the artist used a flat brush to paint this lovely cityscape against the sunset sky. For the finer details, the artist used a fine detailing brush. The squiggly lines on the water give the water some texture it needed. She also did a great job with the sunset sky.
3. Acrylic Cityscape for Beginners, Acrylic on Canvas
Acrylic Cityscape for Beginners, Acrylic on Canvas - Image by Ann's Paintings
The artist painted from the lower plane to recreate the skyscrapers against a fair sky for this painting. She even used masking tape to make straight lines on the buildings. The interesting contrast of colors blends well against the blue sky and the landscaping on the painting’s lower part breaks the majority of the blue on the top.
4. Snowy Cityscape, Acrylic on Canvas
Snowy Cityscape, Acrylic on Canvas - Image by Joony Art
What is a city without its transport? Here, instead of making the city scene the focus for this painting, the artist made the tram the focal point. The details on the road are art in themselves, so you don't want to miss out on that, too.
Watercolors
5. Urban Cityscape, Watercolor on Paper
Urban Cityscape, Watercolor on Paper - Image by Lois Davidson
We love what the artist did in this urban cityscape impression, though the background borders more on watercolor abstract. The artist used unconventional tools like a hake brush and a fine detailing brush to create the details. For most of the painting, the artist used a 1/2-inch flat brush and ochre paint with light washes of gray and details in black.
6. Modern Cityscape, Watercolor on Paper
Modern Cityscape, Watercolor on Paper - Image by Kembart Drawing
This modern cityscape is very realistic. You can almost touch the details on the buildings and the cars on the road. You can see how the artist meticulously added details, down to the details on the signs and on the cars. We almost can't believe the artist did this on watercolor paper.
7. Impressionistic Cityscape, Watercolor on Paper
Impressionistic Cityscape, Watercolor on Paper - Image by Liron Yanconsky
The artist's use of colors, such as purple and pink, represents the somber mood of this portion of the city. For newbie artists exploring the possibilities of impressionism, this painting tutorial is very helpful. The artist left the left half of the reference image black, undetailed, and in shadows rather than catching the details on the right side to fill the painting's staidness.
8. Sunset Cityscape, Watercolor on Canvas
Sunset Cityscape, Watercolor on Canvas - Image by Draw with Shiba
Here's another example of a streetside scene where the artist used an impressionistic painting style. The artist used pinks and purples in the sky to enhance the warmness of this sunset evening and used a dark blue on everything else.
Oils
9. San Francisco Cityscape, Oil on Linen
San Francisco Cityscape, Oil on Linen - Image by Sung Kim Art
The artist used an oversized canvas to paint this almost dark street between apartments and other high-rise buildings for this realistic oil painting. The artist did not use any fancy techniques to paint this cityscape. Instead, he used time-tested oil painting techniques
10. Rainy Cityscape, Oil on Canvas
Rainy Cityscape, Oil on Canvas - Image by Lena Danya
Though this painting is of a rainy night scene in a busy city, the artist opted for bright colors instead of the muted and somber colors that other artists in this list used. The artist captured the slick roads in a crowded yet put together style, adding to the painting's charm.
11. City Lights, Oil on Canvas
City Lights, Oil on Canvas - Image by Kevin Oil Painting
This oil painting features a cityscape against a night sky. The artist used the lights on the buildings and the shore. The artist also used the reflection on the water to highlight the light on the water.
12. Going Home in the Rain, Oil on Canvas
Going Home in the Rain, Oil on Canvas - Image by Paintings by Dusan
Walking in the rain on a slick road is no fun, but see how the artist transformed a simple canvas into a fantastic oil painting, complete with slippery roads and people sporting umbrellas. The artist used a painting knife to add textures and a fine brush for details.
Gouache
13. Evening Comes in Tokyo, Gouache on Paper
Evening Comes in Tokyo, Gouache on Paper - Image by Jenny Xia
In this gouache painting on paper, the artist captured the evening scene in the city of Tokyo. The artist evokes sentimentalism by capturing the reality of the city scene, complete with electric wires. It is early evening, judging from the light on the horizon.
14. Night Cafe, Gouache on Paper
Night Cafe, Gouache on Paper - Image by Reya Art
In this gouache painting of a sidewalk cafe at night, the artist used clean lines and evocative lighting. The contrast between the bright light spilling out of the café on the street and the darkness in the backdrop is startling.
15. Lisbon Riverview, Gouache on Paper
Lisbon Riverview, Gouache on Paper - Image by Vika Kvasnik
This gouache cityscape is an interesting take of the city of Lisbon along Tagus River with the 25 de April bridge in view. There isn't much detail in this impressionistic painting, especially on the river and the sky. For novices in brush painting, it's a great piece to work on.