plate no. 5279

Sevan

Panos Terlemezian, 1917

oil, canvasSymbolismlandscapelakemountainsbuildingsskycloudslandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in depicting architectural forms within a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, mountains, lake, and the main shapes of the buildings.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light blue base, adding white for the clouds and variations in tone.
step 03
Block in the distant mountains with muted blues and browns, focusing on atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Lay in the base color of the lake, mixing blues and greens, and then add horizontal brushstrokes to suggest water movement.
step 05
Define the landmass in the foreground with browns and ochres, adding texture with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Paint the buildings, starting with the darker tones and gradually adding highlights to define the forms.
step 07
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features, using a smaller brush.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting colors and values to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · cadmium red light

Mix ultramarine blue and burnt umber for the darker tones in the mountains and buildings. Use white to lighten the blues for the sky and lake. Add yellow ochre to browns for the foreground land.

techniques

·layering
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·broken color
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the buildings too early.
→Failing to create a sense of depth in the mountains and lake.
→Using too much pure color without mixing to create muted tones.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value in the sky.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, raw sienna, cadmium red light)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags