plate no. 9931
Aliki’s Lamp
Spyros Vassiliou, 1965
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. It also provides practice in rendering subtle light and shadow.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition: horizon line, lamp placement, and building outlines.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the blue sky, the dark mountain, and the general tones of the buildings.
- step 03
Layer the blue sky with subtle variations to create depth.
- step 04
Add details to the buildings, focusing on simplifying shapes and suggesting light sources.
- step 05
Paint the distant city lights with small, bright strokes.
- step 06
Carefully render the lamp, paying attention to the transparency of the glass and the intricate metalwork.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create dimension and form.
- step 08
Refine details and adjust values to achieve the desired mood.
color palette
primary · Prussian blue · Ultramarine blue · Burnt umber
secondary · Titanium white · Cadmium yellow · Cadmium red
Mix various shades of blue with white and umber to create the sky and shadows. Use yellow and red sparingly to create warm highlights in the buildings and lamp.
techniques
- ·Layering
- ·Glazing
- ·Scumbling
- ·Dry brushing
- ·Simplification of forms
common pitfalls
- →Getting lost in the details of the city and lamp too early.
- →Making the sky too uniform and flat.
- →Failing to simplify the buildings into basic shapes.
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 18x24
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·#2 detail brush
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
optional
- ·Medium gloss
- ·Retarder medium
- ·Easel
Use a smooth canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the overall color scheme.
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