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Here is an in-depth study of the problems and rewards of painting cities, with demonstrations in all media; oils, aquarelle, casein, polymer, and pastel. The author discusses technical aspects of perspective; light and shadow patterns; how to draw historical architectural styles, such as Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Muslim, Hindu, Chinese, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque; composition; how to select a subject and what to emphasize; sketching to gather materials for paintings; color and color mixing; rendering the textures of the city; combining man-made structures with natural scenery; how to handle details of architecture, bridges, parks, flower markets, monuments, even fences and lampposts; and painting atmospheric conditions in various kinds of weather.

This book is amazingly rich in detail; there is even a chapter on local variations in chimneys, doors, windows, roofs, storefronts, awnings, sculptural decorations and signs. Subsequent chapters tell how to paint vehicles and figures, and outline the advantages and disadvantages of using photographs and notes when painting.

A review of the basic technical principles - which apply in all painting - is followed by a series of step-by-step demonstrations of cityscapes painted in all major media. These demonstrations explain technical features, potentialities, and limitations of each medium.