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home·artworks·Карловски двор
Карловски двор by Nikola Tanev

plate no. 6337

Карловски двор

Nikola Tanev, 1943

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildinghouseplantsshadowswindowssteps
some experience helpful

This painting offers a good opportunity to practice color mixing to achieve different shades of red and to understand how light and shadow define form. Students can also learn to simplify complex shapes and capture the essence of a scene with expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Sketch the basic shapes of the house, steps, and main elements like the vine.

  2. step 02

    Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a thin wash of color.

  3. step 03

    Block in the dominant red color of the house, varying the shades to create depth.

  4. step 04

    Add details to the windows, steps, and plants, focusing on accurate proportions.

  5. step 05

    Paint the shadows cast by the vine and other elements, using cooler tones.

  6. step 06

    Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of realism.

  7. step 07

    Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast as needed.

  8. step 08

    Add final touches and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · sap green · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix different shades of red by adding white for highlights and burnt umber or ultramarine blue for shadows. Use yellow ochre and ultramarine blue to create muted greens for the foliage.

techniques

  • ·broken color
  • ·scumbling
  • ·alla prima
  • ·impasto
  • ·color mixing

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
  • →Not paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
  • →Making the shadows too dark and flat.
  • →Failing to establish a clear focal point.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas 12x16
  • ·cadmium red oil paint
  • ·titanium white oil paint
  • ·burnt umber oil paint
  • ·sap green oil paint
  • ·yellow ochre oil paint
  • ·ultramarine blue oil paint
  • ·round brushes size 2, 4, and 6

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·linseed oil
  • ·turpentine

Use a medium-textured canvas to allow for expressive brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.

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related guides

oil painting for beginners →color theory for painters →how to learn by studying the masters →
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