plate no. 4238

Ancient Baku

Tahir Salahov, 1997

oilExpressionismcityscapebuildingscityscapearchitecturetreessky

some experience helpful

This painting helps develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using expressive brushstrokes to create texture and form. Students will also learn to mix muted colors and create a sense of depth through layering.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and the tower, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: sky, buildings, trees, and ground.
step 03
Start with the sky, blending blues and pinks to create a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 04
Layer in the darker tones on the buildings, using browns and grays.
step 05
Add highlights to the buildings to create a sense of depth and form.
step 06
Paint the trees using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest foliage.
step 07
Add details like the doors and windows, using small brushes.
step 08
Refine the edges and add final touches to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · sap green

Mix browns and grays by combining burnt umber, ultramarine blue, and titanium white. Use yellow ochre to warm the browns and add a touch of cadmium red for the red door.

techniques