plate no. 4088

Sophia of Kyiv. View from the southeast side

Yuriy Khymych, 1960

temperaPost-Impressionismcityscapearchitecturechurchdomescityscapeskybuilding

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and using bold brushstrokes to define edges and create texture. It also encourages experimentation with color mixing to achieve specific hues and values.

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 and domes, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of yellow and cream.
step 03
Begin applying the primary blue tones to the building, varying the shades to create depth.
step 04
Add the darker blues and greens to define shadows and architectural details.
step 05
Paint the gold and yellow accents on the domes and crosses.
step 06
Use a smaller brush to add details like windows and decorative elements.
step 07
Refine the edges and add final touches to the composition.
step 08
Add a final layer of paint to the foreground to create the illusion of depth.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · burnt umber · purple

Mix ultramarine blue with white for lighter shades of blue. Combine yellow ochre and burnt umber for the gold tones. Use viridian green and ultramarine blue for the green domes.

techniques