plate no. 6616

Old Tbilisi

Martiros Sarian, 1917

oil, canvasExpressionismcityscapebuildingsfiguresanimalsstreetcityscapemountain

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using color to create depth and atmosphere. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of figures and animals with minimal detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: buildings, mountain, figures, and animals, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, ground, and buildings using thinned paint.
step 03
Add the darker tones to define the shadows and architectural details of the buildings.
step 04
Paint the figures and animals, simplifying their forms and using bold colors.
step 05
Refine the details of the windows, doors, and other architectural elements.
step 06
Add highlights to create a sense of light and form.
step 07
Adjust colors and values to achieve the desired mood and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and touch-ups as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · red · blue · white

secondary · pink · brown · gray · green

Mix various shades of yellow ochre with white and small amounts of red or brown for the buildings and ground. Create pink by mixing red and white. Achieve grays by mixing blue, brown, and white.

techniques