plate no. 6610

At the Old Suzdal

oil, canvasArt Nouveau (Modern)cityscapebuildingsfigureslandscapeskytreescityscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in a landscape setting and understanding atmospheric perspective to create depth. It also provides practice in rendering architectural details and foliage with loose brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: buildings, figures, and landscape elements, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the basic color blocks for the sky, buildings, and ground using thin washes.
step 03
Begin layering in details on the buildings, paying attention to the architectural features and shadows.
step 04
Develop the figures, starting with the larger shapes and gradually adding details like clothing patterns and facial features.
step 05
Paint the foliage using a variety of greens, yellows, and oranges, creating texture with broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the details on the table setting, including the samovar, cups, and food.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension throughout the painting.
step 08
Make final adjustments to color, value, and composition to unify the artwork.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · viridian green · raw umber

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors. Use white to lighten colors and create subtle variations in value. Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, adjusting the ratio for different shades.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·alla prima
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, losing the loose and painterly quality.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure, resulting in a flat and uninteresting composition.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, leading to a harsh and unnatural look.
→Ignoring the importance of edges, making the painting appear stiff and unrealistic.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson, viridian green, raw umber)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags