plate no. 7446

Rome

Grigor Khanjyan, 1962

oil, cardboard, cardExpressionismcityscapecityscapecolumnbuildingsskystatuearchitecture

some experience helpful

This painting offers a good exercise in understanding light and shadow on a cylindrical form and simplifying complex architectural details. Students will learn to mix subtle color variations to create depth and form.

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: the column, the buildings, and the statue.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, using loose brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the basic color of the column, paying attention to the light and shadow areas.
step 04
Paint the buildings using simplified shapes and colors, focusing on the overall color harmony.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and roof lines, with small brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the column's form by adding more subtle color variations and highlights.
step 07
Paint the statue at the top of the column, keeping it simple and dark.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to create depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · raw umber

Mix various shades of white with small amounts of blue and yellow ochre for the sky and column. Use burnt sienna and cadmium red for the buildings, adjusting the mix with white and raw umber for different values and hues.

techniques

·color mixing
·blocking in
·scumbling
·broken color
·simplification

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
→Making the column too uniform in color and not capturing the subtle light variations.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not harmonizing with the rest of the painting.
→Not establishing a clear light source and creating inconsistent shadows.