plate no. 3811

Old Ankara

Burhan Dogancay, 1958

oilImpressionismcityscapecityscapealleybuildingsfigurearchitecturearchway

some experience helpful

This painting offers a good exercise in capturing perspective and using a limited palette to create depth and atmosphere. Students can practice loose brushwork and controlling the flow of watercolor to suggest details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and perspective lines of the buildings and archway.
step 02
Mix a light wash of diluted brown/gray for the sky and distant buildings.
step 03
Apply a slightly darker wash to the closer buildings, varying the tone to create shadows.
step 04
Use a darker, more concentrated mix for the foreground details and the figure.
step 05
Add details like windows and architectural elements with a fine brush.
step 06
Create texture by dabbing and lifting the brush to suggest rough surfaces.
step 07
Allow some areas to remain unpainted to create highlights and a sense of light.
step 08
Evaluate and adjust values as needed to enhance depth and contrast.