plate no. 8756

Kovnirovsky building (Kiev-Pechersk Lavra)

Yuriy Khymych, 1970

gouachePost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingarchitectureskytreescityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex architectural forms and using a limited palette to create a cohesive and atmospheric cityscape. It also encourages practice in layering and defining shapes with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the building and its surroundings, focusing on proportions and perspective.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light, diluted wash of white and a touch of blue.
step 03
Establish the main color blocks of the building using a mid-tone base, mixing the primary colors.
step 04
Add darker values to define shadows and architectural details, using blues and browns.
step 05
Introduce highlights with lighter tones of the base color, focusing on areas where light hits the building.
step 06
Paint the trees with dark, gestural strokes, simplifying their form.
step 07
Refine the details of the architectural elements, such as windows and ornamentation, using a smaller brush.
step 08
Add final touches to the sky and ground, ensuring a harmonious balance of color and tone.

color palette

primary · beige · blue · white

secondary · green · brown

The beige is achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Varying the amount of blue added to the beige creates the shadows and highlights on the building.

techniques

·dry brush texture
·layering
·color mixing
·simplification of form
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, resulting in a flat and uninteresting palette.
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast in creating depth and form.
→Failing to simplify the complex architectural details, leading to a cluttered and confusing composition.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Gouache paints (beige, blue, white, green, brown)
·Round brushes (various sizes)
·Flat brushes (various sizes)
·Watercolor paper or mixed media paper
·Palette
·Water container
·Paper towels
·Pencil

optional

·palette knife
·ruler
·easel

Using a heavier weight paper will prevent buckling when applying multiple layers of gouache. Consider using artist-grade gouache for richer pigments and better blending.

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