plate no. 6685

Samarkand

oilRealismcityscapearchitecturecityscapefiguresmarketbuildingssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing light and shadow in a complex architectural setting. It also provides practice in painting figures in a crowd.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main architectural shapes and the horizon line, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of blue, gradually adding subtle variations in tone.
step 03
Establish the basic values of the building, focusing on the light and shadow areas.
step 04
Start adding details to the building, including the intricate patterns and architectural features.
step 05
Block in the figures in the foreground, using simple shapes and colors.
step 06
Refine the figures, adding details and variations in color to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Paint the shadows in the foreground, using a dark, neutral color.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the entire painting, paying attention to the overall balance and harmony.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of beige and off-white for the building using white, raw umber, and a touch of yellow ochre. Create the sky by mixing ultramarine blue with white, adding a touch of raw umber to dull the color.

techniques