This oil painting, titled Through the Arch, captures a view of Dominican University’s quad as seen through a stone archway adorned with ivy. Created during the summer of 2024, the composition highlights the serene campus environment with its historic architecture bathed in warm sunlight. The vibrant greenery frames the scene, leading the viewer's eye toward the centerpiece building, which stands against a softly lit sky. The artwork was made for the URSCI (Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Investigations) scholarship, celebrating the beauty and tranquility of the university's landscape.

Size: 18×24 inches

Date: Summer, 2024

Completion Time: Approx. 2 hours

Medium:

• Canvas

• Oil Paint

• Liquin

Awards: URSCI, Dominican University

• Perspective Drawing – Accurately capturing the depth and proportions of the archway and the building.

• Composition Design – Framing the subject (building and quad) within the archway for a dynamic and balanced layout.

• Color Mixing – Creating realistic tones for the stonework, foliage, sunlight, and shadows.

• Lighting and Shading – Depicting the contrast between light and shadow to create depth and realism.

• Brushwork Techniques – Using varied brushstrokes to achieve texture in the ivy, stone, and foliage.

• Atmospheric Perspective – Conveying distance and space by softening colors and details in the background.

• Detail Work – Capturing the intricate architectural elements of the building and the texture of the ivy.

• Oil Painting Techniques – Layering and blending paints to achieve a smooth yet vibrant finish.

• Observation Skills – Carefully studying the natural light, structure, and environment of the scene.

This painting is not available for purchase. However, if you are interested in creating a similar project, reach out to Metzli here.