plate no. 8560

Autumn in the old Yerevan

Babken Kolozyan, 1942

oilExpressionismcityscapebuildingstreesskywallgatecityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex scenes into manageable shapes and values. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of light and shadow in a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition lightly on the canvas, focusing on the buildings, trees, and wall.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the sky, buildings, trees, and wall with thin washes of color.
step 03
Start layering colors in the sky, adding subtle variations and highlights.
step 04
Develop the forms of the buildings, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Build up the foliage of the trees with short, broken brushstrokes, using a variety of warm colors.
step 06
Add details to the stone wall, varying the colors and textures of the stones.
step 07
Refine the details of the gate and other foreground elements.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the depth and realism of the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · cadmium red light · sap green

Mix various shades of blue for the sky by adding white or a touch of yellow. Create warm earth tones for the buildings and wall by mixing burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and white. Achieve the autumn foliage colors by blending cadmium red light, yellow ochre, and burnt sienna.

techniques