plate no. 8835

Mykonos at Night

Spyros Vassiliou, 1972

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)cityscapebuildingsseaboatswindmillsskyarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive composition. Students will also learn to create depth through layering and atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, windmills, and boats, focusing on their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the sky, sea, and land, using a thin wash.
step 03
Add the darker tones to define the shadows and create depth in the buildings and landscape.
step 04
Paint the white buildings, using subtle variations of white and gray to suggest form and light.
step 05
Add details to the windmills, boats, and other elements, using a smaller brush.
step 06
Paint the reflections in the water, using horizontal strokes and slightly desaturated colors.
step 07
Add the small details like the moon, stars, and figures to bring the painting to life.
step 08
Refine the edges and adjust the colors as needed to create a harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of blue for the sky and sea by combining cerulean blue with white and a touch of ultramarine. Create the whites of the buildings by mixing white with a touch of raw umber and blue.

techniques