plate no. 0769
July
Martiros Sarian, 1937
recreation guide
Martiros Sarian’s 'July' (1937) is a landscape painting that reflects his role as the founder of a modern Armenian national school of painting, heavily influenced by his travels to Armenia and the Middle East (Source 5). As an Expressionist work, it likely emphasizes the emotional and spiritual qualities of the natural scenery rather than strict topographical accuracy, aligning with the broader tradition where landscape views may be imaginary or stylized to convey a specific mood (Source 1). The painting serves as a depiction of natural scenery, potentially including elements like mountains, valleys, or trees, arranged into a coherent composition where the sky and weather play significant roles in the visual narrative (Source 1).
estimated time
20-30 hours over 5-7 sessions
materials
6 items
steps
6 in sequence
materials
| item | purpose | modern equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Oil paints | Primary medium for the painting | — |
| Linseed oil | Medium to thin paint and adjust drying time | — |
| Mineral spirits or turpentine | Solvent for thinning paint and cleaning brushes | — |
| Canvas | Support surface for the painting | — |
| Palette knives | Application and scraping of paint layers | — |
| Charcoal or thinned paint | Initial sketching of the subject | — |
preparation
surface prep
The canvas should be prepared with a traditional ground suitable for oil painting. While specific details of Sarian’s surface preparation are not explicitly detailed in the sources, traditional oil painting techniques often involve sketching the subject onto the canvas with charcoal or thinned paint before applying layers of oil paint (Source 6).
underdrawing
Begin by sketching the landscape composition using charcoal or thinned paint. This initial drawing helps in organizing the visual elements such as lines, shapes, and space, which are crucial for the overall design of the artwork (Source 3, Source 6).
underpainting
Consider using a grisaille (monochrome underpainting) to establish the tonal values of the landscape. This technique involves painting in neutral tones to define the light and shadow before adding color. Although not explicitly attributed to Sarian, this method was practiced by old masters and can help in achieving depth and coherence in the final painting (Source 4).
color palette
Warm earth tones
Ochres, umbers, siennas
General use in this artist's palette, likely for depicting the Armenian landscape
Vibrant greens
Viridian, sap green, yellow ochre
Depicting vegetation and natural scenery
Blues
Ultramarine, cerulean
Sky and water elements, if present
Reds and yellows
Cadmium red, cadmium yellow
Adding warmth and intensity to the landscape, consistent with Expressionist style
composition
The composition of 'July' likely arranges natural elements such as mountains, valleys, rivers, trees, and forests into a coherent whole, with the sky playing a significant role in the visual narrative (Source 1). Sarian’s work often reflects a deep admiration for nature, influenced by his childhood experiences in rural settlements (Source 5). The arrangement of these elements should create a balanced and harmonious visual experience, emphasizing the spiritual and emotional qualities of the landscape.
step by step
underdrawing→underpainting→first pass→refining→finishing→varnishing
underdrawing
step 01
Sketch the basic composition of the landscape using charcoal or thinned paint. Focus on the arrangement of major elements like mountains, trees, and sky.
Tip — Ensure the composition is balanced and coherent, with clear lines and shapes guiding the viewer’s eye.
Initial sketching
underpainting
step 02
Apply a grisaille underpainting to establish the tonal values of the landscape. Use neutral tones to define light and shadow.
Tip — Pay attention to the contrast between light and dark areas to create depth.
Grisaille
first pass
step 03
Begin applying the first layer of color, focusing on the major areas of the landscape. Use thin washes of oil paint mixed with linseed oil.
Tip — Ensure each layer contains more oil than the previous one to prevent cracking.
Fat over lean
refining
step 04
Add details and refine the colors, using glazing and scumbling techniques to enhance the depth and texture of the painting.
Tip — Glazing involves applying transparent coats of color, while scumbling uses semi-opaque paint to create texture.
Glazing and scumbling
finishing
step 05
Finalize the painting by adjusting the colors and adding any necessary highlights or shadows. Ensure the overall composition is harmonious and expressive.
Tip — Step back frequently to assess the overall effect and make adjustments as needed.
Final adjustments
varnishing
step 06
Once the painting is completely dry, apply a varnish to protect the surface and enhance the colors.
Tip — Use a high-quality varnish and apply it evenly to avoid streaks.
Varnishing
critical techniques
Glazing
Applying transparent coats of color to enhance depth and luminosity. This technique was practiced by old masters and can be used to achieve a rich, layered effect in the painting.
Scumbling
Using semi-opaque paint to create texture and depth. This technique can help in achieving a more dynamic and expressive surface.
Fat over lean
Ensuring each layer of paint contains more oil than the previous one to prevent cracking and ensure proper drying.
common pitfalls
- →Applying layers of paint with less oil than the previous layer, which can lead to cracking and peeling (Source 6).
- →Overworking the paint, which can result in a muddy appearance and loss of vibrancy.
- →Neglecting the importance of the sky and weather in the composition, which are crucial elements in landscape painting (Source 1).
what the sources don't tell us
Where the corpus is silent, we say so rather than guess. These are the gaps a complete recreation guide would normally cover that our source passages don't.
- ·Specific details of Sarian’s color palette and mixing techniques for 'July' are not explicitly described in the sources.
- ·The exact compositional layout of 'July' is not detailed, so the recreation relies on general principles of landscape painting and Sarian’s known style.
- ·Information on Sarian’s specific use of glazing and scumbling in this particular work is not available, so these techniques are inferred from general oil painting practices.
grounded in
The technical procedure in this guide traces to the following classical art-instruction texts.
The Practice of Oil Painting↗
- COLOURING A MONOCHROME — applied to Techniques of glazing and scumbling
cross-referenced from
Named facts about this artwork and artist were checked against these reference pages.
Wikipedia: Landscape painting↗
- Landscape painting — part 1 — applied to Understanding the role of sky and weather in landscape composition
Wikipedia: Composition (visual arts)↗
- Composition (visual arts) — part 1 — applied to Principles of visual composition and design elements
Wikipedia bio — Martiros Sarian↗
- Martiros Sarian — part 1 — applied to Biographical context and influence of Armenian landscape on Sarian’s work
Wikipedia: Oil painting↗
- Oil painting — part 2 — applied to Traditional oil painting techniques and materials
Read more about the corpus on the sources page and how the guides are built on the methods page.
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