plate no. 8306

Houses at Hydra

Nikos Nikolaou, 1950

oilExpressionismcityscapebuildingshousescityscapearchitecturewindowsdoors

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and understanding color relationships to create a cohesive composition. It also provides practice in creating texture with visible brushstrokes.

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, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: sky, buildings, roofs, and ground, using thinned paint.
step 03
Add the darker values to define shadows and architectural details.
step 04
Introduce the secondary colors for windows, doors, and accents.
step 05
Refine the shapes and details of the windows and doors, adding highlights and shadows.
step 06
Use thicker paint and visible brushstrokes to add texture to the buildings and roofs.
step 07
Add final details such as the antenna and signage.
step 08
Review and adjust colors and values as needed to create a harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · sky blue · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · yellow ochre · raw umber

Mix the sky blue with white for lighter tones and a touch of raw umber for darker tones. Create the roof color by mixing burnt sienna with a touch of raw umber and white.

techniques