plate no. 0240

Interior of Hagia Sophia Mosque

Sevket Dag, 1922

oil, canvasImpressionisminteriorinteriorcolumnsarchitecturemosquechandeliersfigures

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective, color mixing for complex lighting, and rendering architectural details with loose brushwork. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and space within an interior scene.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main architectural elements: columns, arches, and the general layout of the interior.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the main color masses: greens for the columns, browns and yellows for the walls and floor.
step 04
Develop the lighting by adding highlights and shadows, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 05
Refine the details of the columns and arches, using a smaller brush to add texture and definition.
step 06
Paint the chandeliers, focusing on capturing their intricate shapes and the way they reflect light.
step 07
Add the figures in the background, keeping them simple and indistinct to maintain the atmospheric perspective.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors, values, and details to create a cohesive and convincing image.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · viridian · titanium white

secondary · raw sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow light

Achieve the subtle greens of the columns by mixing viridian with yellow ochre and a touch of burnt umber. Create the warm, glowing light by layering yellow ochre and raw sienna, diluted with a medium.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·broken color
·scumbling
·glazing
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Getting bogged down in details too early.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Overmixing colors, resulting in a muddy palette.
→Ignoring the effects of atmospheric perspective.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, yellow ochre, viridian, titanium white, raw sienna, ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow light)
·linseed oil or painting medium
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat, sizes 2-8)
·palette knife
·palette
·rags or paper towels