plate no. 2633

Houses and towers

Yuriy Khymych, 1983

gouachePost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingstowershousesskytreeslandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using color to define form and space. It also encourages experimentation with expressive brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, towers, and landscape elements, focusing on their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Block in the sky with a diluted wash of blues and yellows, creating a sense of atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Establish the main color masses for the towers and buildings using simplified color blocks.
step 04
Add details to the roofs, windows, and other architectural features, using darker values to create contrast and depth.
step 05
Paint the trees and foliage, varying the greens and yellows to create visual interest.
step 06
Define the foreground and pathways with broad brushstrokes, using warm colors to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the forms.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed to achieve a cohesive and expressive composition.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · titanium white · cadmium red · sap green

Mix blues and yellows to create various greens for the foliage. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix burnt umber with blue to create darker tones for shadows.

techniques