plate no. 8667
Athens IV
Panayiotis Tetsis, 1968
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and understanding color temperature variations within a limited palette. It also encourages observation of light and shadow to define forms.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition of the buildings, focusing on their relative sizes and positions.
- step 02
Block in the largest areas of color, starting with the mid-tones.
- step 03
Establish the darkest shadows and lightest highlights to define the forms.
- step 04
Refine the shapes and edges of the buildings, paying attention to the angles and proportions.
- step 05
Add details such as windows, doors, and roof tiles, using small brushstrokes.
- step 06
Adjust the colors and values as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 07
Add final details and highlights to enhance the overall effect.
- step 08
Step back and review the painting, making any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light · sap green
Mix various shades of ochre and umber with white to create the building facades. Use small amounts of blue and red to create grays and browns for shadows and details. Mix green with umber for the darker areas.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Getting lost in the details too early.
- →Over-blending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Not paying attention to the values, which can flatten the image.
- →Failing to simplify the complex shapes of the buildings.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-textured canvas to allow for better paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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