plate no. 0104

Old Tbilisi

oil, canvasRomanticismlandscapecityscapemountainsriverbuildingsskyfigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering to create depth. It also provides practice in rendering architectural details and natural forms with subtle color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the mountains, river, and city elements.
step 02
Establish the sky with a gradient of light blue and yellow, blending smoothly.
step 03
Block in the distant mountains with pale purples and grays, paying attention to atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Paint the river with varying shades of blue and green, reflecting the sky and surrounding landscape.
step 05
Begin adding details to the city, starting with the larger buildings and gradually adding smaller details.
step 06
Focus on the cliff face, using browns, ochres, and grays to create texture and depth.
step 07
Add figures and boats to the river to create a sense of scale and activity.
step 08
Refine details and adjust values to create a cohesive and atmospheric landscape.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · titanium white · raw sienna · cadmium red

Mix blues and yellows with white for the sky and river. Use burnt umber and raw sienna for earth tones. Add small amounts of red to browns for the buildings and cliffs.

techniques