plate no. 4956

Courtyard of Al-Azhar mosque and university complex in Cairo

Ivan Bilibin, 1900

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)cityscapearchitecturefigurescourtyardmosquecityscapecolumns

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in architectural rendering, figure drawing, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the architectural structure and figures, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Establish the main light source and map out areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Begin with a thin wash of color for the sky and background buildings.
step 04
Gradually build up the colors in the foreground, starting with the larger shapes.
step 05
Add details to the architectural elements, such as the columns and arches.
step 06
Paint the figures, focusing on their forms and clothing.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust the overall color balance.

color palette

primary · raw sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix raw sienna with ultramarine blue and white for the cool tones of the columns and shadows. Use burnt umber and yellow ochre for the warm tones of the buildings and figures. Add small amounts of cadmium red light to create warmer skin tones.

techniques

·linear perspective
·atmospheric perspective
·glazing
·color mixing
·figure drawing

common pitfalls

→Incorrect perspective leading to a distorted composition.
→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of light and atmosphere.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not blending them properly.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color and tone.
→Not establishing a clear focal point.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brushes (various sizes)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil (if using oil paints)

optional

·medium gloss
·easel
·reference photos
·graphite pencils

Using a toned canvas can help to establish the overall color balance of the painting. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.

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