plate no. 8810
Bethlehem
Vasily Polenov, 1882
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and form, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to depict distance. It also provides practice in rendering architectural details with simplified brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and landscape, paying attention to perspective.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light blue and grey tones, blending softly.
- step 03
Establish the base colors for the buildings using a mix of ochre, white, and a touch of burnt sienna.
- step 04
Add shadows to the buildings using darker shades of ochre and burnt umber, defining the architectural details.
- step 05
Paint the landscape with a mix of greens, browns, and ochre, varying the tones to create depth.
- step 06
Add highlights to the buildings and landscape using lighter shades of the base colors.
- step 07
Refine the details of the buildings and landscape, adding small touches of color and texture.
- step 08
Add final touches to the sky, blending the clouds and adjusting the overall tone.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · burnt umber
secondary · cerulean blue · sap green · raw sienna
Mix ochre and white for the sunlit walls, adding small amounts of burnt umber for shadows. Use cerulean blue and white for the sky, and mix greens and browns for the landscape.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color mixing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and unnatural look.
- →Using too much detail in the background, flattening the sense of depth.
- →Failing to establish a clear light source, leading to inconsistent shadows.
- →Not varying the brushstrokes enough, creating a monotonous texture.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·cerulean blue oil paint
- ·sap green oil paint
- ·round brushes size 2, 4, 6
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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