plate no. 1464

A Terrace in Morocco

oilOrientalismgenre paintingfiguresarchitectureskyfoliagecityscapeterrace

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in complex poses and depicting architectural details with varied textures. It also provides practice in creating depth through atmospheric perspective and managing a complex composition.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and architectural elements.
step 02
Establish the sky and distant cityscape with thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the figures and the terrace wall, paying attention to local color and value.
step 04
Develop the details of the figures' clothing and jewelry, using smaller brushes and more precise strokes.
step 05
Add texture to the terrace wall and architectural details with dry brushing and scumbling techniques.
step 06
Refine the foliage and add highlights to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to create a cohesive and harmonious image.
step 08
Add final details, such as the birds in the sky and the small figures in the cityscape.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white · emerald green

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · ivory black

Mix various shades of blue and white for the sky. Create earthy tones by mixing burnt umber with yellow ochre and white. Achieve the green hues by mixing emerald green with yellow ochre and a touch of blue.

techniques