plate no. 1330

Смольный Собор

Bantikov Vladimir Andreevich, 1987

canvas, oilMagic Realismreligious paintingbuildingcathedraltreesnightfigurepark

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create atmospheric perspective and using broken color techniques to depict light and texture. It also provides practice in rendering architectural details and organic forms with a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the cathedral, trees, and foreground elements, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of dark blue and purple for the sky and darker areas.
step 03
Begin layering lighter blues and whites to define the cathedral's form and create a sense of luminosity.
step 04
Paint the trees and bushes using dark blues and greens, adding highlights with lighter blues and whites to suggest light filtering through the foliage.
step 05
Add details to the cathedral, such as windows, architectural ornaments, and crosses, using a fine brush.
step 06
Create the glowing effect by layering thin washes of white and light blue over the cathedral and surrounding areas.
step 07
Paint the small figure in the foreground with a contrasting color to draw the viewer's eye.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · alizarin crimson

secondary · yellow ochre · viridian green

Mix various shades of blue by combining ultramarine blue and titanium white. Create purples by mixing ultramarine blue and alizarin crimson. Use yellow ochre to create warm highlights and subtle variations in the sky and building.

techniques