plate no. 5171

Springtime in Mostar

Tivadar Kosztka Csontvary, 1903

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapecityscapemountainsbuildingstreesfiguressky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as simplifying complex architectural forms into basic shapes. Students will also learn to create a sense of perspective using color and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, buildings, and foreground, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-gray wash.
step 03
Establish the basic colors of the mountains, using muted greens, browns, and grays.
step 04
Begin painting the buildings, focusing on the larger shapes and their relative values.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, doors, and architectural features.
step 06
Paint the foreground, including the trees, figures, and pathways, using a mix of greens, browns, and reds.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final touches, such as small details and adjustments to the overall color balance.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · viridian green · raw sienna

Mix muted greens for the mountains by combining ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, and burnt umber. Create the various shades of gray for the buildings by mixing titanium white with small amounts of ultramarine blue and burnt umber. Use cadmium red mixed with burnt umber for the red roofs.

techniques