apprentice
artistsserieslearnchatartworkscommunity galleryblog
apprentice

deliberate practice for serious artists

writingsourcesmethodsaboutgalleryprivacyterms
built by reducibl.com
home·artworks·Coronation of Nicholas II, Illuminations In Moscow
Coronation of Nicholas II, Illuminations In Moscow by Albert Benois

plate no. 6940

Coronation of Nicholas II, Illuminations In Moscow

Albert Benois, 1896

oilRomanticismcityscapecityscapewaterbuildingsskycloudsreflections

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, river, and sky, paying attention to proportions and perspective.

  2. step 02

    Establish the horizon line and the main areas of light and shadow.

  3. step 03

    Block in the sky with broad strokes, blending the colors to create a soft, atmospheric effect.

  4. step 04

    Paint the distant buildings with lighter, cooler colors to create depth.

  5. step 05

    Add the darker buildings and details in the foreground, using warmer colors.

  6. step 06

    Paint the reflections in the water, matching the colors and values of the buildings and sky.

  7. step 07

    Add the small details, such as the lights and figures, to bring the painting to life.

  8. step 08

    Refine the edges and details, making sure the painting has a sense of unity and harmony.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · rose madder · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · raw umber

Mix the sky colors by blending blues, pinks, and whites. Achieve the warm glow of the lights by mixing yellows, oranges, and reds. Use raw umber to create the darker tones in the buildings and reflections.

techniques

  • ·atmospheric perspective
  • ·color mixing
  • ·rendering reflections
  • ·layering
  • ·scumbling

common pitfalls

  • →getting the proportions wrong
  • →overworking the details
  • →using colors that are too saturated
  • →failing to create a sense of depth

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·acrylic or oil paints
  • ·round brushes
  • ·flat brushes
  • ·palette
  • ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
  • ·mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)

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.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
chat about this artwork

in this vein

related artworks

Romantic Landscape

Romantic Landscape

Karl Lessing

Self-portrait with his brother Francesco

Self-portrait with his brother Francesco

Giuseppe Tominz

Oenone Refuse de Secourir Pâris au Siège de Troie

Oenone Refuse de Secourir Pâris au Siège de Troie

Léon Cogniet

Duke of Alba

Duke of Alba

Francisco Goya

Blick Aus Dem Wald Ins Tal

Blick Aus Dem Wald Ins Tal

Andreas Achenbach

Young Girl Fixing Her Hair

Young Girl Fixing Her Hair

Sophie Gengembre Anderson

The Plough Inn

The Plough Inn

William Shayer

Hudson River Landscape

Hudson River Landscape

Johann Hermann Carmiencke