plate no. 2117

Before a Mosque in Cairo

oil, panelRomanticismgenre paintingarchitecturefiguresbuildingscityscapearchestrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering architectural details with light and shadow, and in depicting figures within a complex environment. It also provides practice in creating atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings and the archway.
step 02
Establish the main light source and map out the areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Block in the sky with a thin layer of blue, blending it slightly towards the horizon.
step 04
Begin painting the buildings, starting with the darkest shadows and gradually adding highlights.
step 05
Add details to the architecture, such as the arches, columns, and decorative elements.
step 06
Paint the figures, focusing on their shapes and the way they interact with the light.
step 07
Add the trees and other foliage, using a variety of greens and browns.
step 08
Refine the details and add any final touches.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · sap green

Mix various shades of ochre and umber with white to create the tones for the buildings. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, and mix greens from blue and yellow.

techniques