plate no. 3232

Arab Café in Ramallah

Marcel Janco, 1956

oilOrientalismgenre paintingmarketfiguresbuildingdonkeyawningcityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting helps students develop skills in color mixing, layering, and capturing the essence of a scene with simplified forms. It also encourages expressive brushwork and understanding of atmospheric perspective.

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 and composition, focusing on the buildings and the placement of the figures.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the buildings, awnings, and ground, using thin washes.
step 03
Add the darker values to define the shadows and architectural details.
step 04
Begin painting the figures, simplifying their forms and using a variety of colors for clothing and skin tones.
step 05
Layer colors to create depth and texture in the awnings and buildings.
step 06
Add details like the donkey and other small elements to bring the scene to life.
step 07
Refine the brushwork, using short, expressive strokes to capture the energy of the market.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the contrast and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · raw umber

Mix various shades of brown and ochre by combining burnt sienna, raw umber, and yellow ochre. Use ultramarine blue and white to create the cooler tones for the sky and shadows. Add small amounts of cadmium red or sap green to create variations in the browns and ochres.

techniques