plate no. 4450

Semiramis and dead Ara the Beautiful

Vardges Sureniants, 1899

oil, canvasSymbolismhistory paintingfigurearchitectureinteriorcarpetcolumnornament

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and architectural elements.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the background, figures, and carpet, paying attention to the muted palette.
step 04
Begin adding details to the architectural elements, such as the carvings and tiles, using small brushes and careful observation.
step 05
Refine the figures, focusing on the subtle shading and highlights to create form.
step 06
Add details to the carpet and other textiles, using small brushes to create the intricate patterns.
step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to unify the painting and create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · viridian

Achieve the muted colors by mixing earth tones with white and small amounts of blues and greens. Use glazes of thinned color to create subtle variations and depth.

techniques