plate no. 3789

Old House Yerevan

Petros Malayan, 1988

oilExpressionismcityscapebuildingstreeshousescityscapestone walldoorway

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. It also encourages expressive linework and capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise detail.

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 buildings, trees, and stone wall using a pencil or charcoal.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of burnt umber or raw sienna as an underpainting to establish the overall tone.
step 03
Begin layering darker values to define shadows and create depth in the buildings and stone wall.
step 04
Introduce greens and yellows to the trees, blending them with the background colors.
step 05
Add details to the windows, doorways, and stone wall using a smaller brush and darker colors.
step 06
Use dry brush techniques to create texture on the buildings and ground.
step 07
Outline key shapes with dark lines to enhance definition and add an expressive touch.
step 08
Add final highlights with lighter colors to create contrast and visual interest.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · yellow ochre

secondary · sap green · titanium white · payne's gray

Mix burnt umber and raw sienna for the base tones of the buildings. Add yellow ochre and white to create lighter highlights. Use sap green mixed with burnt umber for the trees, and payne's gray to darken shadows.

techniques