plate no. 8441

Olshtin, the Castle

Petros Malayan, 1972

oilExpressionismcityscapebuildingscityscapefigurescarsstreetsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and loose watercolor washes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

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 and figures, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted grey-blue for the sky, allowing it to bleed into the building tops.
step 03
Paint the buildings with light washes of yellow, grey, and ochre, varying the intensity for depth.
step 04
Add darker washes to indicate shadows and architectural details like windows and arches.
step 05
Paint the figures and cars with quick, loose brushstrokes, using brighter colors for emphasis.
step 06
Add details like the red tower and the dark figure in the foreground.
step 07
Use dry brush technique to add texture to the street surface.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.