plate no. 1960

Gur Emir Mausoleum. Samarkand

oilRealismcityscapearchitecturebuildingdomeskyfigurescityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to depict complex architectural forms using simplified shapes and values. It also provides practice in mixing earth tones and depicting subtle light variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the building and dome, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: sky, dome, walls, and ground.
step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns on the architecture.
step 04
Begin adding details to the dome and minaret, focusing on the patterns and textures.
step 05
Refine the details of the walls, adding cracks and variations in color.
step 06
Paint the figures in the foreground, keeping them simple and in proportion.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · raw umber · cadmium yellow light · cerulean blue

Mix various shades of ochre and sienna for the walls. Use ultramarine and white for the sky, and mix ultramarine with burnt sienna to create grays for shadows.

techniques