plate no. 5489

St. Michael's Cathedral in Kyiv

Vasyl Hryhorovych Krychevsky, 1952

oilImpressionismcityscapebuildingcathedraltreesskyarchitecturecityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to capture the effects of light and shadow on architectural forms and how to use broken color to create texture and depth in foliage. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes 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 cathedral, trees, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin layering colors to build up the forms of the building and trees, focusing on local color.
step 04
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create texture in the foliage and architectural details.
step 05
Mix and apply the colors for the sky, blending softly.
step 06
Refine the details of the cathedral, such as windows and architectural elements.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and form.
step 08
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments to color, value, and composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt sienna · viridian green · cadmium yellow

Mix various shades of white with yellow ochre and burnt sienna to achieve the warm tones of the building. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, and mix greens with yellow ochre and ultramarine blue for the foliage.

techniques