plate no. 3885

Bakoos Tombs

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfigurestombscityscapemountainsskyarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve muted tones and understanding atmospheric perspective to create depth. It also provides practice in depicting figures in simple, draped forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the main elements of the cityscape.
step 02
Block in the large shapes of the mountains, sky, and foreground with thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the light and shadow on the tombs and buildings, using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 04
Add details to the figures, focusing on the folds of their clothing and their overall form.
step 05
Develop the cityscape by adding details to the buildings, minarets, and other architectural elements.
step 06
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, paying attention to the atmospheric perspective.
step 07
Add final details, such as the texture of the ground and the subtle variations in the sky.
step 08
Varnish the painting to protect it and enhance the colors.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix burnt umber and ultramarine blue to create the dark tones for the figures and shadows. Use yellow ochre and titanium white to create the warm tones for the buildings and ground. Add small amounts of cadmium yellow and alizarin crimson to create subtle variations in color.

techniques

·blocking in
·atmospheric perspective
·limited palette
·glazing
·dry brushing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the cityscape, which can make the painting look too busy.
→Failing to create a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated, which can clash with the overall mood of the painting.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value, which can make the painting look flat.