plate no. 1684

Jericho

Konstantin Gorbatov, 1935

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismcityscapecityscapearchitecturemountainsskypalm treeslandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve warm light effects and learn to simplify complex architectural forms into basic shapes. It also provides practice in creating depth through atmospheric perspective and layering.

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 city, mountain, and sky, paying attention to proportions and overall composition.
step 02
Block in the main color areas using thin washes of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin layering colors to build up the forms of the buildings, using warmer tones for areas in direct sunlight and cooler tones for shadows.
step 04
Add details to the architecture, such as windows, arches, and rooftops, using smaller brushes.
step 05
Paint the sky and mountains, blending colors to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.
step 06
Add the palm trees and foreground details, paying attention to their shapes and textures.
step 07
Refine the overall painting, adjusting colors and values as needed to create a cohesive and harmonious image.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · raw sienna · viridian

Achieve the warm, sunlit tones by mixing yellow ochre with burnt umber and a touch of cadmium red. Use ultramarine blue and white to create the cool tones in the sky and shadows. Add viridian to create the green tones of the palm trees.

techniques