plate no. 6933

Ashtarak

Ara Bekaryan, 1960

oil, canvasExpressionismgenre paintingfiguredonkeypumpkinslandscaperural sceneshadows

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and understanding color temperature to create light and shadow. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a subject with expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the donkey, figure, pumpkins, and background elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns using warm and cool color variations.
step 04
Refine the shapes and details of the figures and objects, paying attention to their proportions.
step 05
Add texture and interest with visible brushstrokes, varying the direction and pressure.
step 06
Mix and apply the colors for the pumpkins, focusing on the highlights and shadows to give them volume.
step 07
Develop the background with simplified shapes and colors, creating a sense of depth.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the overall composition.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium orange · raw umber · sap green

Mix various shades of yellow ochre and burnt sienna with white to create the warm tones of the landscape and pumpkins. Use ultramarine blue and raw umber to create the darker tones for shadows and the donkey.

techniques