plate no. 9708

Adoration of the Sun

Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis, 1909

paper, temperaSymbolismlandscapelandscapeanimalsskysunsethorizonplants

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line and the placement of the animals and plants.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light yellow wash, gradually adding darker shades towards the top.
step 03
Paint the horizon line with a dark brown or black, blending it slightly into the sky.
step 04
Add the silhouettes of the animals and birds, using a muted brown or gray.
step 05
Begin layering the field with horizontal strokes of dark brown, adding hints of green and red.
step 06
Use short, broken strokes to create the texture of the plants in the foreground.
step 07
Add highlights to the plants and animals with a light yellow or white.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · sap green · cadmium red light

Mix yellow ochre with white to create the sky's glow. Use burnt umber with touches of green and red for the field. Add white to the burnt umber for the animal silhouettes.

techniques

·layering
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·silhouette painting

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall simplicity of the image.
→Making the colors too saturated and not achieving the muted, atmospheric effect.
→Incorrectly placing the horizon line, which will throw off the composition.
→Failing to create enough contrast between the sky and the field.