plate no. 4734

Otzun

Petros Malayan, 1981

oilExpressionismcityscapebuildingchurchfiguresskytreeslandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and creating texture with dry brush techniques. It also provides practice in simplifying complex architectural forms and capturing atmospheric perspective.

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 building, figures, and landscape.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted blue and gray for the sky, allowing it to blend and create soft edges.
step 03
Using a larger brush, apply a thin wash of ochre and brown to the ground area.
step 04
Begin building up the building with layers of gray, brown, and ochre, using a dry brush technique to create texture.
step 05
Add darker values to the shadows and details of the building, such as the windows and doorway.
step 06
Paint the figures with dark, muted tones, keeping them simple and suggestive.
step 07
Add the tree on the right side with brown and ochre, using broken brushstrokes to suggest foliage.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · payne's gray · raw sienna

Mix blue and gray for the sky. Use ochre and umber for the building and ground, varying the proportions for different shades. Add a touch of blue to the shadows to cool them down.

techniques