plate no. 4641

Illustration to the poem Gevorg Emin's "Sasun Dance".

Grigor Khanjyan, 1975

oil, paperExpressionismillustrationfiguresmusiciansdrumsinstrumentsclothingcrowd

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, particularly depicting clothing folds and textures, and in creating a sense of depth through layering and diminishing detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures and instruments.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the general arrangement of the background figures.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the clothing, drums, and headwear with thin washes.
step 04
Add details to the faces and hands, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the textures of the clothing and instruments with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the background figures, simplifying their details to create depth.
step 07
Add the red stripes and patterns on the clothing and drums.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and details to create a cohesive composition.

color palette

primary · red · white · brown · grey

secondary · beige · black

Mix various shades of red by adding white or brown. Achieve skin tones by mixing red, brown, and white. Use grey for shadows and background figures.

techniques

·dry brushing
·layering
·hatching
·scumbling
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the background, which can flatten the composition.
→Using too much paint, which can obscure the texture of the paper.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point, which can make the painting feel chaotic.
→Inaccurate proportions of the figures.