plate no. 1224
Kaunas
Mstislav Dobuzhinsky, 1933
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective drawing, color mixing to achieve muted tones, and layering brushstrokes to create texture and depth. It also provides practice in depicting architectural details and atmospheric perspective.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and perspective lines of the buildings and street.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas for the sky, buildings, and ground, focusing on overall tones.
- step 03
Begin adding details to the buildings, such as windows, roofs, and architectural features.
- step 04
Develop the textures of the walls and roofs using varied brushstrokes.
- step 05
Paint the carts in the foreground, paying attention to their form and shadows.
- step 06
Refine the details and add highlights to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of atmospheric perspective.
- step 08
Add final touches and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · red oxide
secondary · ultramarine blue · payne's gray · raw sienna
Mix yellow ochre and burnt umber for the warm tones of the buildings. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, adding a touch of burnt umber for a muted effect. Mix Payne's gray with white for the cooler tones of the roofs and shadows.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·linear perspective
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect perspective leading to distorted buildings.
- →Overmixing colors resulting in muddy tones.
- →Neglecting to create depth through value and color variations.
- →Getting lost in details too early before establishing overall composition.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 12x16
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Linseed oil (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·painting rags
Use a canvas with a medium texture to help with dry brushing techniques. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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