plate no. 8802

Caspian Sea Today (Central Part of the Triptych)

Tahir Salahov, 2007

oilContemporary Realismlandscapeoil rigseaboatsskycloudsindustrial

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex structures, understanding atmospheric perspective, and capturing dynamic water movement with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve realistic sunset hues.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a rough sketch outlining the major shapes of the oil rig, boats, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the basic colors of the sky, sea, and oil rig using thin washes.
step 03
Develop the sky by layering colors to create the sunset effect, blending where necessary.
step 04
Add details to the oil rig, focusing on accurate proportions and perspective.
step 05
Paint the water, using short, choppy brushstrokes to suggest movement and texture.
step 06
Add the boats, paying attention to their reflections in the water.
step 07
Refine the details of the oil rig and boats, adding highlights and shadows.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a cohesive and dynamic composition.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · cadmium orange · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · raw sienna · ivory black

Mix blues and whites for the sky, adding touches of orange and yellow near the horizon. Use burnt umber and black for the dark areas of the oil rig, and mix orange and yellow for the flames. Achieve the water color by mixing blues, greens, and whites.

techniques