plate no. 8948

Beijing Opera

Alexandre Jacovleff, 1918

oilJaponismgenre paintingfiguresoperaarchitecturecostumescrowdstage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure painting, costume rendering, and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a scene with simplified forms and expressive brushstrokes.

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 and proportions of the figures and architectural elements.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the figures, costumes, and background, using thin washes.
step 03
Develop the details of the costumes, paying attention to the folds and textures.
step 04
Add the architectural details of the building, using a combination of straight lines and soft edges.
step 05
Create the crowd in the background with simple shapes and muted colors to suggest depth.
step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows to create a sense of volume and atmosphere.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to enhance the overall effect.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to adjust colors and values.